Description
Home cooks adore this comforting chicken and lemon rice recipe that blends Mediterranean flavors with simple ingredients. Zesty citrus notes and tender chicken create a perfect meal that delights palates and satisfies hunger quickly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lb (680 grams) skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 15 oz (425 grams) canned chickpeas, drained
- 6 oz (170 grams) feta cheese, diced into small cubes
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 8 oz (227 grams) grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 5 oz (142 grams) fresh spinach, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh oregano (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with oregano, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Chicken Searing: Heat skillet with olive oil over medium temperature, strategically sear chicken pieces until golden brown, then reduce heat and cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for perfect doneness.
- Vegetable Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté diced tomatoes, minced garlic, additional oregano, and salt, creating a robust flavor base. Integrate fresh spinach, allowing it to wilt and become tender.
- Rice Composition: Combine cooked rice, chickpeas, remaining tomatoes, and fresh lemon juice into the skillet, gently stirring to meld flavors and distribute heat evenly.
- Feta Enhancement: Whisk feta cheese with olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano in a separate bowl, creating a creamy, zesty sauce that will elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Final Assembly: Incorporate half the feta mixture into the lemon rice, positioning the perfectly cooked chicken on top. Reheat gently to harmonize flavors and textures.
- Presentation: Garnish with remaining feta cheese and fresh oregano leaves, making final seasoning adjustments to ensure a balanced, delectable Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Chicken Searing Technique: Brown chicken on medium heat for golden, crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior, ensuring perfect doneness without drying out meat.
- Skillet Flavor Layering: Use same skillet after chicken to capture caramelized bits, intensifying overall dish depth and transferring rich, concentrated flavors into subsequent ingredients.
- Temperature Control: Monitor chicken’s internal temperature precisely at 165°F to guarantee food safety without overcooking, preserving tender meat texture.
- Feta Mixture Consistency: Blend feta sauce until smooth and creamy, creating a zesty coating that enhances rice and chicken with tangy Mediterranean character.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 532
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 498 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg