Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the tantalizing aroma of tender, zesty chicken and perfectly cooked rice—without spending hours in the kitchen! This Slow Cooker Lemon Dill Chicken and Rice recipe is your ultimate weeknight dinner solution that combines minimal effort with maximum flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you'll create a restaurant-worthy meal that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breasts by patting them dry with paper towels and seasoning generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Lightly grease the interior of the slow cooker with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Rinse the long-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then spread it evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken broth over the rice, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the rice in a single layer.
- Zest the entire lemon over the chicken and rice, then squeeze the lemon juice evenly across the dish.
- Sprinkle the freshly chopped dill over the chicken and rice, distributing it as evenly as possible.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat, cooking for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.
- Serve the chicken breasts over the lemon dill rice, garnishing with additional fresh dill if desired.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure better browning and flavor absorption.
- Use fresh dill if possible—it makes a significant difference in the overall taste compared to dried herbs.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a clove of minced garlic or a splash of white wine to the broth.
- Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking, as this releases heat and can increase cooking time.
- If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider cutting them in half to ensure even cooking.
- Let the dish rest after cooking to allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and become perfectly fluffy.
- For a lighter version, you can use low-sodium chicken broth and skinless chicken breasts.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 357kcal
Carbohydrates: 41g
Protein: 36g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 85mg
