Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender, juicy chicken thighs with bright lemon juice, aromatic herbs, and savory butter, all slow-cooked to perfection with Minute® rice for an effortless, flavorful one-pot meal that's perfect for busy days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 7 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Liquid and Aromatics
- 1 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup diced leeks
- 1 Tbsp. garlic, chopped
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trim any excess fat and discard)
- 3 Tbsp. salted butter, sliced
- 2 cups uncooked Minute Brand rice (do not use regular rice, it won't turn out)
Instructions
- Combine broth and seasonings: In the slow cooker, add chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, diced leeks, chopped garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all ingredients.
- Add chicken thighs: Place the trimmed boneless, skinless chicken thighs into the seasoned liquid in the slow cooker, making sure they are submerged evenly.
- Top with butter: Distribute the sliced salted butter evenly over the top of the chicken thighs to add richness and flavor during cooking.
- Slow cook on low: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture.
- Add rice and cook further: After 6 hours, carefully stir in the 2 cups of uncooked Minute Brand rice into the slow cooker mixture. Cover again and cook for an additional 25 minutes on low to allow the rice to absorb the flavors and cook through.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the rice is tender and the chicken fully cooked, serve hot and enjoy this flavorful, comforting lemon pepper chicken and rice dish.
Notes
- Use Minute Brand rice as recommended; regular rice will not cook properly with this method.
- Do not open the lid during the initial 6-hour cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs to reduce greasiness.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after cooking if desired.
- This recipe is ideal for slow cooker beginners as it requires minimal prep and monitoring.
