Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice🍗🍚👇
| Ingredients |
Chicken
-1.5 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-1 teaspoon paprika
-¼ teaspoon salt
-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
-2 tablespoons olive oil
Greek lemon rice
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-8 oz grape tomatoes sliced in half
-5 cloves garlic minced
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-¼ teaspoon salt
-5 oz fresh spinach chopped
-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
-2 cups cooked jasmine rice
-15 oz chickpeas canned
Feta cheese mixture
-6 oz feta cheese diced into small cubes
-1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
-1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
-¼ teaspoon dried oregano
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano optional
fresh oregano for garnish
| Instructions |
How to cook chicken
-Season the chicken thighs with dried oregano, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes.
-Heat an empty, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet (such as a cast-iron or stainless steel pan) over medium heat for 2 minutes.
-Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chicken thighs. Cook the chicken on medium heat for 5 minutes on one side, undisturbed. Important note: make sure the oil does not burn. If the skillet gets too hot (depending on your stovetop), reduce heat to low-medium. You don't want the juices from the chicken to be burnt, as you will use those juices to flavor the rice.
-Flip the chicken thighs over, reduce heat to low-medium, and cook for about 5 more minutes or longer on the other side, without moving it, until it's cooked through.
-The meat thermometer should register 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
How to make Greek lemon rice
-Add half of the halved grape tomatoes, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same, now empty, skillet. Cook the tomatoes on medium heat for about 2 minutes until they soften and release juices.
-Stir in fresh spinach until it wilts.
-Add cooked rice and drained chickpeas.
-Add 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and the remaining uncooked halved grape tomatoes. Reheat on medium heat, stirring everything to combine. Add 1 extra tablespoon of olive oil if you like.
How to make a feta cheese mixture
-In a medium bowl, combine cubed Feta cheese with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon of dried oregano (add more to taste), 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh oregano (if using).
-Mix so that the herbs and olive oil coat the cubed Feta cheese.
| Assembly |
-Mix half of the feta cheese mixture into the skillet with lemon rice.
-Add sliced cooked chicken to the skillet with rice and reheat on medium heat.
-Top the Greek chicken and lemon rice with the remaining feta mixture. Sprinkle fresh oregano on top.
-Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Greek cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, and this dish perfectly embodies that with the combination of olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. By marinating the chicken thighs with oregano and paprika, you ensure they soak up all the spices, delivering a mouthwatering taste. The addition of spinach and chickpeas not only enhances the dish with nutrition but also adds a colorful contrast to the plate. For anyone looking to elevate their cooking, using fresh ingredients like grape tomatoes and high-quality feta cheese can take this dish to new heights. Cooking everything in one pan not only makes for a convenient cleanup but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Don't forget to garnish with fresh oregano for that extra burst of flavor and aroma! Whether you're a chicken lover or simply in search of a satisfying recipe, this Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a must-try. Enjoy this dish as part of your weekly meal prep or serve it to impress guests at your next dinner party.
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