Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice (Print-Friendly Version)

A flavorful one-pot Mediterranean dinner with chicken, rice, spinach, tomatoes, chickpeas and feta, ready in just 30 minutes.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
02 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Greek Lemon Rice

07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 225g grape tomatoes, halved
09 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - ¼ teaspoon salt
12 - 140g fresh spinach, chopped
13 - 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
14 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
15 - 425g canned chickpeas, drained

→ Feta Cheese Mixture

16 - 170g feta cheese, diced into small cubes
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
19 - ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (optional)
21 - Fresh oregano for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Season the chicken thighs with dried oregano, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes.
02 - Heat a high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
03 - Add chicken thighs to the hot skillet. Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes on one side, undisturbed. Flip the chicken, reduce heat to low-medium, and cook for about 5 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). Remove chicken from skillet.
04 - In the same skillet, add half of the halved grape tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and olive oil. Cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
05 - Stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Add cooked rice and drained chickpeas.
06 - Add lemon juice and remaining uncooked tomatoes. Reheat on medium heat, stirring to combine. Add an extra tablespoon of olive oil if desired.
07 - In a medium bowl, combine cubed feta cheese with olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, and fresh oregano if using. Mix so the herbs and oil coat the feta cheese.
08 - Mix half of the feta mixture into the rice. Add sliced cooked chicken to the skillet with rice and reheat. Top with remaining feta mixture and fresh oregano. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - For best results, ensure the chicken is cooked to the proper temperature before removing from the skillet.
02 - If the skillet gets too hot while cooking chicken, reduce heat to prevent burning the flavorful juices.
03 - This Mediterranean dish combines protein, fiber, and fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.