GREEK LEMON CHICKEN is a must-make, super easy dinner recipe!
GREEK LEMON CHICKEN is a must-make, super easy dinner recipe! is a easy Greek recipe that serves 4. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by Downshiftology on YouTube.
Prep: 1 hr 30 min | Cook: 1 hr 18 min | Total: 3 hrs 3 min
Cost: $21.92 total, $5.48 per serving
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Divided: 1/3 cup for chicken marinade, 2 tbsp for rice, 1 tbsp for green beans)
- 1/3 cup Fresh Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed; 1/4 cup for chicken, juice of 1 lemon (~3 tbsp) for rice)
- 8 cloves Garlic Cloves (4 for chicken marinade, 2 for rice, 2 for green beans; minced)
- 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
- 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 2.5 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1.25 teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
- 8 pieces Chicken Thighs, Bone‑In, Skin‑On (Approximately 2 lb; trimmed of excess fat)
- 1.5 cups Basmati Rice (Rinsed and drained)
- 2.5 cups Low‑Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest (Zest of 1 lemon)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Oregano, Dill) (Finely chopped; can substitute with thyme, tarragon, basil)
- 0.5 piece Medium Onion (Diced)
- 1 pound Green Beans (Trimmed)
Instructions
Make Lemon‑Herb Marinade
Combine 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp ground black pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk until emulsified.
Time: PT5M
Coat Chicken Thighs
Place 8 bone‑in chicken thighs in a large zip‑top bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the thighs, seal or toss, and ensure each piece is fully coated.
Time: PT5M
Marinate
Refrigerate the coated chicken for at least 1 hour, up to 2 hours, to absorb the lemon‑garlic‑herb flavors.
Time: PT1H
Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 350°F
Bake Chicken
Arrange the marinated thighs side‑by‑side in a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Pour any remaining marinade over the top. Bake for 40–45 minutes, basting once or twice. For extra‑crisp skin, turn on the broiler for the last 2–3 minutes.
Time: PT45M
Temperature: 350°F
Sauté Rice Base
While the chicken bakes, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ½ diced medium onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until translucent. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1.5 cups rinsed Basmati rice; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Time: PT5M
Cook Rice
Add 2½ cups low‑sodium chicken broth, the juice of one lemon (≈3 tbsp), and ½ tsp kosher salt to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes. Keep an eye on the liquid level; add a splash of water if needed.
Time: PT15M
Rest Rice
Remove the skillet from heat, keep it covered, and let the rice sit for 4–5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Add Fresh Herbs to Rice
Stir in ¼ cup finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, dill).
Time: PT2M
Prepare Green Beans
Toss 1 lb trimmed green beans with 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper in a bowl.
Time: PT5M
Air Fry Green Beans
Place the seasoned beans in the air‑fryer basket. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 7–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Time: PT8M
Temperature: 375°F
Plate and Garnish
Spoon a portion of lemon‑herb rice onto each plate, top with 1–2 baked chicken thighs, and add a side of air‑fried green beans. Optional: garnish the casserole dish with lemon slices before serving.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 35 g
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, Dairy‑Free, High‑Protein, Low‑Sugar
Last updated: April 14, 2026








