Ingredient Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Breast High-Protein Lemon Chicken & Rice Skillet 5.0 (2) 2 Reviews This one-pan chicken and rice skillet packs in protein, greens and flavor for a complete meal that comes together with minimal fuss. It’s a weeknight dinner that’s satisfying and delicious. And the best part? Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze. By Craig Ruff Craig Ruff Craig Ruff was first exposed to professional food service while working for an event center at the business school he was attending. There, he was responsible for maintaining the kitchen for caterers. He has been a lifelong cook, and followed his passion through culinary school and to working in restaurants. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on September 26, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD See More Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Jump to recipe Close Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Active Time: 40 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 4 Nutrition Profile: No Added Sugar Mediterranean Diet Sesame-Free Nut-Free Healthy Pregnancy Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Everything cooks in a single skillet so cleanup is minimal.Chicken breast, brown rice and Parmesan cheese deliver a hearty boost of protein and fiber to keep you full and energized.Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1/2x 1x 2x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. This recipe was developed and tested at its original yield and has not been tested at other yields. Note that only the ingredient list is scaled, so you may need to make adjustments to ingredient amounts, cooking times and equipment sizes in the recipe steps. Scaling could also impact the nutrition analysis. Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided ½ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon salt, divided 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 medium shallot, finely chopped (about ⅓ cup) 6 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons) 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper 2 (8.8-ounce) packages precooked brown rice (about 3½ cups) ½ cup heavy cream ½ cup lower-sodium chicken broth 5 cups packed baby spinach (5 ounces) ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces) 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 large lemon) Directions Place 2 chicken breasts on a cutting board; slice in half horizontally into 4 cutlets. Pat dry and sprinkle with 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon salt. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, undisturbed, until browned on both sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160°F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean cutting board. Do not wipe the skillet clean. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet over medium-low heat. Add chopped shallot, chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon thyme, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt and the remaining ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook, stirring often, until the shallot softens, about 2 minutes. Stir in 2 packages brown rice, ½ cup cream and ½ cup broth, scraping up any browned bits. Spread the mixture in an even layer, cover and cook, undisturbed, until the rice is heated through, about 3 minutes. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. Meanwhile, slice the chicken. Stir 5 cups spinach into the skillet in batches; cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in ½ cup Parmesan, 2 teaspoons lemon zest and 3 tablespoons lemon juice; cook, stirring, until the cheese melts, about 1 minute. Spread the mixture in an even layer and top with the sliced chicken in a single layer. Remove from heat, cover and let stand until the chicken is warmed through, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt. Garnish with additional thyme, if desired. Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Craig Huff, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong. EatingWell.com, September 2025 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 531 Calories 28g Fat 51g Carbs 21g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 1 cup rice mixture & 3 oz. chicken Calories 531 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 51g 19% Dietary Fiber 5g 18% Total Sugars 3g Added Sugars 0g 0% Protein 21g 42% Total Fat 28g 36% Saturated Fat 11g 56% Cholesterol 71mg 24% Vitamin A 343µg Vitamin C 17mg 19% Vitamin D 1µg Vitamin E 3mg 19% Folate 93µg Vitamin K 192µg Sodium 661mg 29% Calcium 228mg 18% Iron 3mg 17% Magnesium 129mg 31% Potassium 615mg 13% Zinc 2mg 22% Vitamin B12 0µg Omega 3 0g Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.