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Lemon Pepper Chicken Rice

Featured in: Simple Comfort Plates

This dish features juicy chicken breasts seasoned with bright lemon zest and freshly cracked black pepper, creating a lively flavor profile. The chicken is seared to golden perfection before baking to retain moisture and tenderness. Served atop fluffy long-grain rice cooked in savory broth and butter, it delivers a comforting balance of textures and tastes. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices, the meal is both visually appealing and satisfying. Easy to prepare and gluten-free with wholesome ingredients, it’s ideal for a quick yet flavorful dinner.

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Updated on Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:30:00 GMT
Golden-brown Lemon Pepper Chicken breasts atop fluffy white rice, a delicious American classic. Pin it
Golden-brown Lemon Pepper Chicken breasts atop fluffy white rice, a delicious American classic. | freshymeals.com

Succulent chicken breasts seasoned with zesty lemon and cracked black pepper, served over fluffy rice for a bright, comforting meal.

This dish reminds me of the first dinner I made for my family after a long weekend away & the aroma of lemon and pepper brought everyone to the kitchen with smiles.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, Zest of 1 lemon, Juice of 1 lemon, 2 cloves garlic minced
  • Rice: 1 cup long-grain white rice, 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water), 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Garnish (optional): 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, Lemon slices

Instructions

Prep Oven and Chicken:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, black pepper, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
Season and Sear:
Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2 minutes per side until golden.
Bake Chicken:
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
Prep Rice:
While the chicken bakes, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, bring chicken broth (or water) and butter to a boil. Add the rice and salt, stir once, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Serve:
Serve the chicken breasts over the rice. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices if desired.
A close-up of tender Lemon Pepper Chicken, fragrant with lemon, ideal alongside rice and parsley. Pin it
A close-up of tender Lemon Pepper Chicken, fragrant with lemon, ideal alongside rice and parsley. | freshymeals.com

My kids love sprinkling extra parsley on top & it turns mealtime into a fun moment they all share together.

Required Tools

Large ovenproof skillet, Small mixing bowl, Saucepan with lid, Measuring cups and spoons, Knife and cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter). Gluten-free if using gluten-free chicken broth always check labels to confirm.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 340, Total Fat 9 g, Carbohydrates 32 g, Protein 32 g

The comforting flavors of Lemon Pepper Chicken, served with fluffy rice, perfect for a cozy dinner. Pin it
The comforting flavors of Lemon Pepper Chicken, served with fluffy rice, perfect for a cozy dinner. | freshymeals.com

Enjoy this bright and cozy meal with your favorite white wine and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for the perfect finishing touch.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do you ensure the chicken stays moist?

Sealing the chicken breasts by searing each side before baking helps lock in juices and maintain tenderness.

→ Can brown rice be used instead of white rice?

Yes, brown rice may be substituted but will require a longer cooking time and additional liquid.

→ What is the purpose of lemon zest and juice in this dish?

Lemon zest adds intense citrus aroma while the juice delivers bright acidity, balancing the pepper’s spice.

→ Is it necessary to marinate the chicken?

Marinating for up to 2 hours enhances flavor, but quick seasoning and immediate cooking still yield great results.

→ How is the rice kept fluffy and light?

Rinsing rice before cooking removes excess starch; gentle simmering with broth and resting covered allows proper steam absorption.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Rice

Tender lemon pepper chicken paired with fluffy rice offers a bright and comforting dish.

How long to prep
10 min
Time to cook
30 min
Overall time
40 min
Recipe by Freshymeals Lily Carter

Dish category Simple Comfort Plates

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type American

Makes 4 Serving size

Dietary details No gluten

What you need

Chicken

01 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 Zest of 1 lemon
06 Juice of 1 lemon
07 2 cloves garlic, minced

Rice

01 1 cup long-grain white rice
02 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
03 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
04 1/2 teaspoon salt

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
02 Lemon slices

Steps to follow

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 02

Prepare Seasoning Mixture: Dry chicken breasts with paper towels. Combine olive oil, black pepper, kosher salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic in a small bowl.

Step 03

Season Chicken: Coat chicken breasts evenly on both sides with the seasoning mixture.

Step 04

Sear Chicken: Heat large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken breasts for 2 minutes per side until golden brown.

Step 05

Bake Chicken: Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 06

Rinse Rice: While chicken bakes, rinse rice under cold water until water is clear.

Step 07

Cook Rice: Bring chicken broth or water and butter to a boil in saucepan. Add rice and salt, stir once, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Step 08

Serve: Plate chicken breasts over the cooked rice and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices as desired.

Tools you’ll need

  • Large ovenproof skillet
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Saucepan with lid
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy info

Always check each ingredient for allergens and talk to a professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy from butter.
  • Gluten-free only if using certified gluten-free chicken broth.

Nutrition info (per portion)

Nutrition details are for reference only, not a substitute for health advice.
  • Calories per serving: 340
  • Fat content: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Protein amount: 32 g