Mediterranean chicken and rice

Mediterranean chicken and rice recipe with step-by-step photos and a recipe video. This one-pot chicken and rice is loaded with delectable Mediterranean flavors. Easy and quick dinner recipe made with chicken breast, rice, onion, garlic, lemon, herbs, and spices. You can make it within 30 minutes.

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This easy Mediterranean chicken rice recipe has all the scrumptious flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. You will love this one-pan meal. This is easy to make and tastes so delicious that there are no leftovers. Serve it with salad.

If you love Mediterranean food, you may also like Spanish Chicken and Rice, and Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice. It is an easy and healthy dinner recipe, made in one pot within 30 minutes.

About this recipe

In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make a One-pot Mediterranean chicken and rice. It is made with chicken marinated with Mediterranean flavors, pan-seared, and cooked with rice in a flavorful broth.

The chicken is super tender and juicy, the rice is perfectly cooked and fluffy. It tastes so delicious that your family is definitely going to enjoy it. It is one of the best chicken and rice recipes that I have shared on this website.

Mediterranean cuisine is the cuisine of the people of the Mediterranean basin (the region of lands around the Mediterranean Sea).

The key ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine include olive oil, fresh fruits, and vegetables, wine, legumes, seafood, and meat.

You may also like these other popular chicken and rice recipes from this website

• One pan Mexican Chicken and Rice
• Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice
• Spanish Chicken and Rice
• Cajun Chicken Rice
• Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet

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Why You Need This Recipe

• Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
• Easy to customize. Check out the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per your taste.
• One-pan/one-pot recipe – Everything is made in a single pan. Fewer dishes to go and easy to clean up.
• Mediterranean flavors – This recipe is flavored with spices and herbs that are easily available in the kitchen pantry. It includes lemon juice, black pepper, fresh garlic, cumin, thyme, and oregano.
• Make ahead recipe – You can make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days. Reheat and serve.
• Gluten-free

Ingredients and Substitutions

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• Chicken – I have used boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe. You can also use chicken thighs.
• Rice – I have used long-grain basmati rice. You can use any long or medium-grain rice of your choice.
• Olive Oil – I have used refined olive oil. You can substitute it with any neutral flavor oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil.
• Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice brighten up the flavors. You can substitute it with vinegar.
• Turmeric Powder – It gives a bright yellow color to the Mediterranean chicken and rice dish. Skip if not available. However, you will miss the yellow color.
• Seasoning – Dried thyme, dried oregano, ground black pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and turmeric powder. You can substitute thyme and oregano with Italian seasoning.
• Vegetables – Onions, fresh garlic, and peas. I have used red onions. You can substitute it with yellow onions. I have used frozen peas. You can substitute it with any vegetables of your choice like bell peppers or broccoli. 
• Whole spices – Cinnamon, and bay leaf. It gives a very nice flavor to the dish. Do not skip them.
• Chicken broth – You can substitute it with water. Add 2 chicken stock cubes (or bouillon cubes) to flavor the water.
• Cilantro – If you do not like cilantro substitute it with parsley.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

Tips to make One Pot Chicken and Rice

• Marinating the chicken to make it super tender and juicy. Also, it enhances the flavor.
• Rice to liquid ratio is very important while cooking rice. The instructions are given on the package for the rice to liquid ratio. Add water as per the brand of rice you are using. For cooking 1 cup of basmati rice, I have used 2 and ¼ cups of water.
• Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid while cooking rice. Alternatively, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
• Once the rice is cooked, remove it from heat and keep it covered for 10 minutes.
• You can increase or decrease the quantity of seasoning to adjust the spice level.

Step by step instructions with photos

Preparations

• To make the seasoning – In a small mixing bowl combine thyme, oregano, ground black pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and turmeric powder. Keep it aside.
• Prep the chicken – Slice the chicken breast in half or you can pound the chicken breast too.
• To marinate the chicken – Add 2 tsp of the prepared seasoning, lemon juice, and oil to the chicken breast. Rub it gently on both sides. Marinate for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the rice well with water (2-3 times). Soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and keep it aside.
• Chop onions and garlic and keep them aside.

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To make Mediterranean chicken and rice

• Heat 2 tsp of oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.
• Place the marinated chicken in the heated pan. Fry it for 2-3 minutes on each side. The chicken need not be completely cooked. Remove it to a plate.
• In the same pan, add onion and sauté until translucent.
• Next, add garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add rice and 2 tsp of the seasoning. Sauté it for a minute.
• Add chicken broth, bay leaf, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Gently scrape the tiny bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.

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• Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more seasoning, if required.
• Let the broth come to a boil.
• Add peas (optional).
• Place the chicken back in the pan. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed by the rice.
• Once cooked, keep it covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
• Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with salad on the side.

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Storage Suggestions

• Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days.
• Make sure to store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
• To reheat, sprinkle some water on it and heat it over medium-low heat on the stovetop. Or reheat in the microwave.

Variations that you can try

• Make it healthy – You can add greens to this recipe like fresh spinach.
• Top it up with Feta cheese and serve.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

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5 from 5 votes

Mediterranean chicken and rice

Mediterranean chicken and rice recipe with step-by-step photos and a recipe video. This one-pot chicken and rice is loaded with Mediterranean flavors. Easy and quick dinner recipe made with chicken breast, rice, onion, garlic, lemon, herbs and spices. You can make it within 30 minutes.

Course Main

Cuisine Mediterranean

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Preeti

Equipment

• small mixing bowl
• Heavy bottom pan/skillet

Ingredients

For the seasoning

• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

To marinate the chicken

• 2 chicken breast sliced (gives you 4 pieces)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 4 tsp of the seasoning

To make chicken and rice

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic finely chopped
• 1 cup rice rinsed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 2 and 1/4 cups of chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1- inch cinnamon
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

Preparations

• To make the seasoning – In a small mixing bowl combine thyme, oregano, ground black pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, paprika and turmeric powder. Keep it aside.
• Prep the chicken – Slice the chicken breast in half or you can pound the chicken breast too.
• To marinate the chicken – Add 2 tsp of the prepared seasoning, lemon juice and oil to the chicken breast. Rub it gently on both sides. Marinate for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the rice well with water 2-3 times. Soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain and keep it aside.
• Chop onions and garlic and keep them aside.

To make Mediterranean chicken and rice

• Heat 2 tsp of oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.
• Place the marinated chicken on the heated pan. Fry it for 2-3 minutes on each side. The chicken need not to be fully cooked. Remove it on a plate.
• In the same pan, add onion and sauté until translucent.
• Next, add garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add rice and 4 tsp of the seasoning. Sauté it for a minute.
• Add chicken broth, bay leaf, cinnamon and lemon juice. Gently scrape the tiny bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more seasoning, if required.
• Let the broth comes to a boil.
• Add peas (optional).
• Place the chicken back to the pan. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed by rice.
• Once cooked, keep it covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
• Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with salad on side.

Video

Notes

• Marinating the chicken to make it tender and juicy. Also, it enhances the flavor.
• Rice to liquid ratio is important while cooking the rice. The instructions are given on the package for the rice to liquid ratio. Add water as per the brand of rice you are using. For cooking 1 cup of basmati rice, I have used 2 and ¼ cups of water.
• Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid while cooking rice. Alternatively, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
• Once the rice is cooked, remove it from heat and keep it covered for 10 minutes.
• You can increase or decrease the quantity of seasoning to adjust the spice level.