Description
Mediterranean kitchens come alive with Greek Lemon Chicken, a zesty dish blending tangy citrus and herb-infused rice. Succulent chicken pieces marinated in garlic, lemon, and oregano promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces/170 grams each)
Marinade and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Create a robust marinade by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Submerge chicken breasts completely in the marinade within a sealed container, ensuring thorough coating. Refrigerate for 30-120 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Preheat a skillet to medium heat and carefully transfer marinated chicken, cooking approximately 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165F, achieving a golden exterior and fully cooked interior.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a serving plate, allowing brief resting time to retain moisture.
- In a separate saucepan, warm olive oil over medium heat, then incorporate chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce rice to the saucepan, gently stirring to lightly toast grains and enhance nutty undertones.
- Pour chicken broth, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice into the rice mixture. Increase heat to generate a vigorous boil.
- Immediately reduce heat to low, cover saucepan, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice achieves tender consistency and liquid completely absorbs.
- Remove rice from heat, delicately fluff with a fork to separate grains, and fold in fresh parsley for vibrant herbaceous notes.
- Garnish chicken with additional chopped parsley and serve alongside aromatic rice.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, ideally overnight in the refrigerator to enhance taste and tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness, preventing dry chicken while guaranteeing food safety.
- Substitute chicken breasts with thighs for more moisture and richer flavor profile if preferred.
- Add extra lemon zest for brighter citrus notes, transforming the dish from good to extraordinary with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 321 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg