
Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Lemony rice makes a lively bed for savory chicken, with parsley freshening the final spoonful. There's plenty of citrus here for anyone who likes dinner with a bright edge. Serve some rice alongside each piece of chicken and enjoy the lemony grains while they're warm.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 15 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Chicken
- Cooking method
- One pot · One pot & sheet pan
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: 31–60 minutes
- Dish type
- Rice dishes
A few quick notes
1. Discard the used marinade
Lift chicken from the marinade before cooking and discard that marinade, as directed, rather than keeping it for the rice.
2. Rinse rice with your fingers
Use a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water and rub the rice gently before its toasting stage.
3. Chicken returns partway through rice
Add lemon zest, optional slices and cooked chicken after the first covered rice stage, then cover again.
Get to know the ingredients
Fresh or dried oregano
Fresh oregano or the listed dried amount can flavor the chicken marinade before it goes into the bag.
Divided olive oil
Most olive oil goes into the marinade; keep the remaining portion for cooking chicken in the saute pan.
Lemon juice for rice
You can use a smaller lemon juice amount in the rice if you'd prefer a gentler citrus flavor.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 5 steps completeMake room for One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Rest before parsley
Let the cooked chicken and rice stand briefly once liquid is absorbed, then top with chopped parsley and serve.
A little more help as you go
Keep chicken loosely covered
Once cooked through, set the chicken on a plate under loose foil while the rice is prepared.
Stir while toasting rice
Move the rinsed rice frequently in melted butter so it toasts without burning before broth is added.
A few questions you might have
Can I use chicken thighs?
Boneless skinless thighs are listed alongside breasts for the marinade and pan-cooking stage before the rice.
What internal temperature is specified for chicken?
Cook it through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit during the first pan stage before setting it aside.
Is the rice supposed to be cooked when chicken returns?
It will not be cooked through at that point; the covered final stage finishes the rice beneath the chicken.
Does lemon zest go into the marinade?
Keep zest for the rice after its first covered stage, adding it with optional lemon slices before returning chicken.
When should I stir after the rice broth boils?
Stir just once to break up any lump before covering and reducing the heat for the rice cooking stage.
Any more cooking tips?
The lemon juice can be adjusted according to preference for the rice. We wanted the rice pilaf with that lemony zing so we prefer it with 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. If you prefer a lighter lemon flavor, use 2 tablespoons. I have only made this recipe with parboiled rice. For best results, I suggest following the recipe exactly as written.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: littlespicejar.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.



