Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Introduction

If you’re searching for a family-friendly dinner that tastes as vibrant as it looks, Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is the answer. Each bite bursts with bright citrus and fragrant herbs, while the chicken turns incredibly tender after hours of gentle simmering. This all-in-one meal is a stress-free weeknight hero—just set it and forget it!

Why Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Stands Out

This recipe shines for its effortless prep, requiring only a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients. The combination of zesty lemon, aromatic herbs, and savory chicken creates satisfying depth of flavor—without the need for last-minute fuss or advanced cooking skills. Plus, cooking the rice right in the slow cooker ensures everything comes out perfectly seasoned and moist.

Getting the Most Flavor from Your Chicken

For the juiciest and most flavorful results, opt for bone-in, skinless chicken thighs, as they stand up well to slow cooking and absorb the citrus and herb flavors beautifully. Fresh lemon juice and zest add brightness, while a medley of dried herbs (like thyme, oregano, and parsley) infuse each forkful with earthy notes. Layer the rice beneath the chicken so it soaks up all the savory juices as everything cooks together.

Assembling Your Slow Cooker Delight

Once you’ve prepped your ingredients, simply add them to your slow cooker—chicken on top of the rice, herbs sprinkled over everything, and a generous squeeze of lemon. Let it cook throughout the day, and when you return, your home will be filled with an inviting aroma and dinner will be ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions for a Standout Meal

This dish delivers complete comfort in a bowl, but you can elevate it further with a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal vegetables on the side. A sprinkle of fresh herbs and an extra squeeze of lemon just before serving adds even more vibrancy. Leftovers make a tasty lunch the next day, as the flavors deepen overnight.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4-6 servings. Each portion typically contains around 400-450 calories (depending on cut of chicken and optional ingredients) and is balanced with protein, grains, and fresh citrus flavor. It’s a wholesome meal the whole family can feel good about.

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice (Recap)

With zesty brightness, aromatic herbs, and melt-in-your-mouth chicken, this slow cooker meal is the perfect blend of comfort and fresh flavors—a guaranteed crowd pleaser for busy weeknights or easy weekend suppers.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to generate a perfectly organized shopping list with all ingredients grouped by store section—making meal planning and grocery trips easy and efficient.

Instructions

1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray or olive oil.
2. Add the rinsed white rice and diced onion to the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the rice.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs.
4. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the rice and onions in the slow cooker.
5. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice over the chicken and rice.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, until the chicken is tender and the rice has absorbed the liquid. (Check at 4 hours to prevent overcooking.)
7. Gently fluff the rice with a fork. For serving, garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is ideal for meal prep and busy weeks. Save and schedule this recipe to see exactly which days you want to serve it and automatically generate a master shopping list that combines all ingredients from your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total quantities needed for each ingredient
• Sorts your grocery list by store section for quick shopping
• Prevents missed or duplicate purchases
• Makes weekly meal prep simpler and more streamlined

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to schedule this meal along with your favorite salads, sides, or other family dinners. The app will add up all the ingredients, so you buy just what you need and waste less—no more guesswork!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours (on LOW)
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes