Transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched islands of Greece with this incredible one-pot wonder! Greek chicken thighs and rice combines all those beloved Mediterranean flavors—bright lemon, aromatic oregano, briny olives, and juicy tomatoes—into a complete meal that cooks together beautifully. The rice absorbs all the savory chicken drippings and Greek seasonings, becoming incredibly flavorful while the chicken stays perfectly moist. It’s comfort food with a passport!
Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice Recipe
This is where chicken thigh recipes truly shine! The thighs release their natural juices as they cook, infusing the rice below with rich, savory flavor that’s absolutely irresistible. Every grain becomes seasoned perfection. The Greek-inspired ingredients create layers of complexity—tangy lemon brightens everything, oregano adds earthiness, and olives provide that signature briny pop.
The texture is what dreams are made of. Crispy-skinned chicken sits atop fluffy, flavorful rice that’s cooked to perfection. Plus, it’s all made in one pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. This is the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’re dining at a cozy taverna overlooking the Aegean Sea, except you’re in your own kitchen wearing pajamas!
Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice Ingredients
Gather these Mediterranean essentials:
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley and lemon wedges for serving
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
These simple ingredients create explosive flavor that celebrates the best of Greek cuisine!
How to Make Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice
Creating this Mediterranean masterpiece is wonderfully straightforward:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Use a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven.
- Season the chicken thighs. Pat them completely dry, then season generously with oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Sear the chicken. Heat olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and sear another 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics. In the same skillet, cook onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add rice and liquids. Stir in rice, coating it with the pan drippings. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, lemon juice, and olives. Bring to a simmer.
- Nestle chicken on top. Place seared chicken thighs skin-side up on the rice mixture.
- Bake covered for 35-40 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and rice is tender and fluffy.
- Rest and garnish. Let stand 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and feta if using.
The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the dinner table!
Tips for the Best Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice
Don’t skip searing the chicken. This step creates that gorgeous crispy skin and builds flavor in the pan for the rice. Essential for great chicken thigh recipes baked!
Use good quality broth. The rice absorbs all that liquid, so quality matters. Homemade or low-sodium chicken broth works best.
Keep the lid on tight. This traps steam and ensures the rice cooks evenly. Resist peeking until the timer goes off!
Check rice doneness. If rice needs more time but chicken is done, remove chicken, cover rice, and continue cooking 5-10 minutes.
Let it rest. Those final 5 minutes allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and settle into perfect fluffiness.
Add vegetables for nutrition. Toss in spinach, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers during the last 10 minutes for extra veggies.
Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice Variations
These adaptable chicken thigh recipes work with multiple cooking methods!
Chicken thigh recipes crockpot version: Layer rice, broth, and seasonings in slow cooker. Top with seared chicken. Cook on low 4-5 hours for hands-off comfort.
Chicken thigh recipes boneless skinless: Use boneless skinless thighs for chicken thigh recipes healthy options. Reduce baking time to 25-30 minutes and dice before serving.
Chicken thigh recipes oven with orzo: Swap rice for orzo pasta and reduce liquid to 2½ cups for a different texture.
Chicken thigh recipes instant pot: Sear chicken using sauté function, add rice and liquids, pressure cook 10 minutes, then natural release 10 minutes.
Chicken thigh recipes slow cooker meal prep: Perfect for chicken thigh recipes easy batch cooking. Make a double batch and freeze portions for quick dinners.
Chicken thigh recipes for dinner Spanish-style: Replace olives with chickpeas and add saffron for paella-inspired flavor.
Chicken thigh recipes air fryer crispy: Cook rice stovetop separately, air fry seasoned chicken at 380°F for 22 minutes for ultra-crispy skin.
Chicken thigh recipes boneless with tzatziki: Serve diced boneless thighs over rice with cooling cucumber tzatziki sauce.
Chicken thigh recipes skinless with extra veggies: Add zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant for a vegetable-forward version.
What to Serve with Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice
This dish is wonderfully complete, but these sides enhance the Mediterranean experience:
- Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and feta
- Warm pita bread with hummus or tzatziki
- Roasted garlic green beans with lemon zest
- Simple cucumber and yogurt salad for cooling contrast
- Grilled halloumi cheese for extra indulgence
A crisp white wine like Assyrtiko pairs beautifully with these Greek flavors!
Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice FAQs
Can I make this with chicken thigh recipes boneless? Definitely! Boneless thighs work wonderfully. Since they cook faster, reduce baking time to 25-30 minutes and check that they reach 165°F internally. You’ll sacrifice some of the crispy skin, but the flavors remain incredible.
How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy? Use the correct liquid ratio (1½ cups rice to 3 cups broth) and avoid stirring once everything goes in the oven. Stirring releases starch and creates mushiness. Also ensure your oven temperature is accurate.
Can I make this ahead for chicken thigh recipes easy meal prep? Absolutely! This reheats beautifully. Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F with a splash of broth to refresh the rice, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes.
Final Thoughts on Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice
This Greek chicken thighs and rice recipe brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s proof that chicken thigh recipes can be both incredibly flavorful and wonderfully simple. The one-pot convenience means less time cleaning and more time enjoying this delicious, aromatic meal with your loved ones.
Whether you’re exploring chicken thigh recipes oven-style for the first time or you’re a seasoned cook looking for fresh chicken thigh recipes for dinner inspiration, this Greek-inspired dish delivers on every level. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly seasoned rice, and bright Mediterranean flavors creates a meal that’s both comforting and exciting. Opa!
Greek Chicken Thighs and Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Use a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven.
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, and half of the oregano.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5–6 minutes until deeply golden. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining olive oil and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in rice, chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining oregano, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer, then nestle chicken thighs skin-side up into the rice. Scatter olives around.
- Cover tightly and bake for 35–40 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with feta and fresh dill, and rest covered for 5 minutes before serving.