Get ready to transform your dinner routine with the most mouthwatering, hands-off meal that'll have your family begging for seconds! 🍗✨ Imagine tender, juicy chicken infused with bright lemon and aromatic garlic, nestled on a bed of perfectly cooked rice - all prepared with minimal effort in your trusty slow cooker. This Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Rice is about to become your new weeknight hero, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with just minutes of prep time.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Gather the chicken breasts, rice, chicken broth, lemon, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
- In a large bowl, combine the juice of one lemon, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a marinade for the chicken.
- Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Allow them to marinate for about 10 minutes while you prepare the slow cooker.
- In the slow cooker, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Spread the rice evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour 2 cups of chicken broth over the rice, ensuring it is fully submerged. This will help cook the rice and infuse it with flavor.
- After the chicken has marinated, place the chicken breasts on top of the rice in the slow cooker. Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking will make the chicken tender and flavorful.
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the lid. Check that the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the rice is tender.
- Using a fork, fluff the rice gently to combine it with the juices from the chicken. This will enhance the flavor of the rice.
- To serve, plate the chicken and rice, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness.
- Enjoy your Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken Rice as a comforting meal perfect for any occasion!
Tips
- Marinating Magic: Don't skip the 10-minute marinade - this step ensures maximum flavor absorption into the chicken.
- Rice Placement Matters: Spread the rice evenly and ensure it's fully submerged in broth for consistent cooking.
- Temperature Check: Always verify chicken reaches 165°F internally to ensure food safety.
- Garlic Pro Tip: Fresh minced garlic provides the most vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced varieties.
- Parsley Perfection: Add fresh parsley just before serving to maintain its bright color and fresh taste.
- Liquid Balance: If rice seems too dry during cooking, you can add a little extra chicken broth.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish can be prepped the night before and stored in the refrigerator, ready to start cooking in the morning.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 327kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 112mg
