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Lemon-Parmesan Chicken and Rice Bowl

A quick and delicious meal that is healthy and the family will love it. Cheesy, lemony, crunchy!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 5 people
Calories 2906.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Oven-Safe Pot For baking rice
  • 1 Large Skillet For chicken and combining ingredients
  • 1 Large Pot For cooking broccoli
  • 1 Cutting Board & Knife For preparing chicken and onion
  • 1 Lemon Zester/Juicer For fresh lemon flavor

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 cup rice
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 8 ounce package frozen broccoli
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Heat an oven-safe pot over medium-high heat; stir rice and 2 tablespoons oil together in the hot saucepan to coat the rice with oil. Pour hot water over the rice; bring to a boil and place a cover on the pot.
  • Bake rice in preheated oven until the water is absorbed and rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Place broccoli into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and season broccoli with salt and pepper.
  • Heat remaining oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken to hot oil, season with garlic powder and onion powder. Saute chicken until completely browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Stir onion into the chicken; continue cooking until onions are soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Spoon rice into the skillet; cook until lightly browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Stir broccoli into the rice mixture; sprinkle lemon zest and lemon juice over the mixture and stir. Top with Parmesan cheese. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Notes

Ensure chicken is cut into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking and browning. For a richer flavor in the rice, toast it slightly in the oil before adding water. Don't overcook the broccoli; it should be tender-crisp and retain its vibrant green color. For an elevated finish, consider using freshly grated Parmesan cheese and adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill for aromatics and visual appeal. A splash of chicken broth could be used instead of plain hot water for the rice for deeper flavor.