Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Introduction

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is the answer for home cooks craving a comforting, hearty meal that requires minimal effort and cleanup. Fragrant herbs and bright lemon infuse tender chicken and fluffy rice with layers of zesty, savory flavor, while your slow cooker handles all the heavy lifting. Perfect for busy weekdays or leisurely Sunday suppers, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe is as crowd-pleasing as it is foolproof.

What Makes This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Stand Out?

Combining rustic, herby chicken with soft, flavor-packed rice, this dish marries classic comfort food with a nutritious twist. Using just one pot means every grain absorbs the lemony, herbaceous juices of the chicken, resulting in a vibrant and cohesive meal that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

Essential Prep for Success

For the best results, use bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts— they deliver more flavor and stay juicy after hours of slow cooking. Quickly chop onions, carrots, and celery for a flavorful base; using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper ensures perfectly uniform pieces in seconds, saving you even more prep time and effort.

Building Flavor: Herbs, Lemon, and Aromatics

A blend of fresh herbs—like thyme, parsley, and rosemary—melds seamlessly with garlic, onion, and vibrant lemon zest for a bright, garden-fresh character. Slicing your lemon and grating zest is quick work on a sturdy, stable board such as the Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3, protecting your counters and speeding up your mise en place.

Assembly and Cooking in the Slow Cooker

Layer your vegetables and aromatics first, nestle the chicken pieces on top, then sprinkle over your fresh herbs and grated lemon zest. Pour in low-sodium chicken broth and a squeeze of lemon juice for steam and moisture, then add uncooked rice partway through cooking to keep it plump, not mushy. To check chicken doneness and avoid overcooking, use a reliable temperature probe like the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking.

Serving and Storing Leftovers

Spoon your finished Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice into bowls and garnish with extra chopped herbs and lemon slices for a restaurant-quality presentation. For fuss-free, portable leftovers, transfer portions into an airtight container like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup)—perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves about 6, with each generous portion providing lean protein, complex carbs, and a kick of vitamin C from the lemon and vegetables. You can expect about 350–400 calories per serving, making it a wholesome, family-friendly option.

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice (Recap)

With its effortless slow-cooker method, zesty lemon, and fresh herbs, this dish is the ultimate comfort food without the fuss. The combination of tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice ensures a satisfying, flavor-packed meal every time—ideal for gatherings, meal prep, or cozy nights in.

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for even, easy-to-cook pieces.
2. Arrange onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
3. Pat chicken pieces dry and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
4. Zest the lemon and juice half of it. Scatter half of the zest and a squeeze of juice over the vegetables, then nestle chicken on top.
5. Pour chicken broth around (not over) the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 3.5 hours.
6. Stir in rinsed rice and remaining lemon zest and lemon juice. Be sure the rice is mostly submerged in the broth and around the chicken. Cover and continue cooking on LOW for 1–1.5 hours more, or until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through (165°F when checked with the ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking).
7. Remove chicken to a plate and gently shred with the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen if desired. Return chicken to slow cooker, mix, and taste for seasoning.
8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Portion leftovers into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) for easy storage.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes