There’s nothing better than coming home to a warm, hearty dinner ready to serve. This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is that perfect lazy-day dish. It’s bright with lemon, layered with aromatic herbs, and the rice cooks right alongside the chicken, soaking up every drop of flavor.
This one-pot wonder works for busy weeknights, weekend meal prep, or even summer evenings when you want something light but satisfying.
Whether you’re into lazy dinners crockpot style or searching for slow cooker summer recipes that taste like effort (but aren’t), this recipe fits beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
- Effortless prep: Just 10 minutes of tossing ingredients into the slow cooker.
- Fresh flavor: Lemon, herbs, and fluffy rice make every bite bright and comforting.
- Kid-approved: This meal falls under the best kid friendly crock pot recipes out there.
- No mess, no stress: It’s a full meal in one pot, cleanup is a breeze.
This dish gives the same cozy satisfaction as our Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta, no oven, no hassle.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
Here’s everything you need to make this Pinterest-ready meal:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs – tender and slow-cooker perfect
- 1 cup long-grain white rice – holds up beautifully
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth – keeps rice moist and flavorful
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice – adds brightness
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest – boosts citrus notes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or thyme for a more earthy twist)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas or spinach, stir in near the end for extra color
Fresh ingredients make this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice visually beautiful and delicious. For a lighter alternative, try the Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps, perfect for summer nights.
How to Make Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
This crockpot lemon chicken is foolproof, perfect for beginners or pros looking for simplicity.
- Build the base: In the slow cooker, combine rice, broth, lemon juice, zest, and all seasonings.
- Add chicken: Lay chicken breasts or thighs right on top. Drizzle with olive oil and season well.
- Cover and cook: On LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours. No peeking!
- Finish up: Stir in peas or spinach during the last 30 minutes if using.
- Serve: Fluff the rice, slice the chicken, and serve with fresh lemon slices and parsley.
It’s that easy. Like our Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice makes you feel like you worked harder than you did.
Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
This dish is a complete meal, but it plays well with sides too:
- A green salad with vinaigrette
- Roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli
- Crusty sourdough or garlic bread to mop up extra broth
It’s especially great for sports night dinners quick meals when you don’t want to fuss.
Variations & Customization Ideas
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is super adaptable. Try one of these ideas:
- Use brown rice: Just increase broth by ½ cup and cook longer (6–7 hours on LOW).
- Add vegetables: Stir in frozen peas, corn, or kale at the end.
- Swap the protein: Use turkey breast or boneless pork loin.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning.
- Make it creamy: Mix in cream cheese or sour cream before serving.
This is one of those instant pot meal prep recipes that freezes and reheats perfectly, just like our Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole.
Storing & Reheating Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Use a splash of broth or water in the microwave to keep the rice fluffy.
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is ideal for bulk prepping and fits seamlessly into your summer instant pot recipes rotation too.
Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t lift the lid while cooking, it releases essential heat.
- Use long-grain rice only, short-grain gets mushy.
- Zest goes in late: Add some fresh lemon zest just before serving for vibrant flavor.
- Check internal temp: Chicken should reach 165°F for safety.
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice becomes even better with small tweaks like these. The more often you make it, the more you’ll find your perfect flavor balance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even easy recipes have a few traps, here’s how to dodge them:
- Using minute rice: It will turn to mush. Stick to long-grain white or brown rice.
- Too little liquid: Broth helps both the chicken and rice cook evenly.
- Overcrowding: Don’t cram in too many chicken pieces, they won’t cook properly.
- Skipping seasoning: This recipe relies on herbs and lemon to shine.
- Adding veggies too early: Spinach or peas should go in during the final 30 minutes.
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is hard to mess up if you keep these tips in mind.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is one of those magical meals that looks fancy, tastes amazing, and requires almost zero effort. It’s tangy, comforting, and totally crowd-pleasing, whether you’re prepping ahead or feeding a hungry family after a long day.
Pin it, print it, and make it part of your weekly rotation. You’ll be glad you did.
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice: Easy & Family-Friendly
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is an easy, cozy, and citrusy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. The lemon adds brightness while fresh herbs infuse every bite with flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In slow cooker, combine rice, broth, lemon juice, zest, and seasonings.
- Place chicken on top and drizzle with olive oil.
- Cover and cook: LOW 4–5 hrs or HIGH 2–3 hrs.
- Stir in peas/spinach in last 30 mins (optional).
- Shred chicken, fluff rice, garnish with lemon or parsley. Serve.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 445kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g19%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 110mg37%
- Sodium 620mg26%
- Potassium 580mg17%
- Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 40g80%
- Vitamin A 302 IU
- Vitamin C 12 mg
- Calcium 135 mg
- Iron 7 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Use long grain rice only
- Add fresh herbs at the end for brightest flavor
- Use frozen chicken only if increasing cook time
- Freeze portions separately for better texture when reheating
- Add cheese or cream cheese to make creamy version
