⭐ Mediterranean Forgotten Chicken

One-Pan • Hands-Off • Tender & Flavorful
Serves: 4
Total Time: ~1 hour (5 min prep + 55 min bake)

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🛒 Ingredients

Rice Base

• 1 ½ cups long-grain rice (basmati or jasmine)

• 2 ¾ cups chicken broth

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp thyme

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper

Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier results)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt & pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

Optional Mediterranean Boosters

• Sliced olives

• Artichoke hearts

• Sun-dried tomatoes

• Chopped parsley

• Cherry tomatoes

• Feta crumbles (after baking)

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🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat

Heat oven to 350°F (180°C).

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2. Make the rice layer

Inside a 9×13 baking dish:

1. Add rice, broth, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Mix well so flavors spread evenly.

This becomes a lemony, aromatic Mediterranean pilaf beneath the chicken.

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3. Season the chicken

1. Pat chicken dry.

2. Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder.

3. Lay the chicken directly on top of the rice mixture.

Do not mix — the magic of Forgotten Chicken is letting the oven do the work.

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4. Bake (“forget it!”)

Cover tightly with foil.
Bake 50–55 minutes.

Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes to brown the top.

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5. Finish

Let it rest 5 minutes, then top with:

• Fresh parsley

• Crumbled feta

• Extra lemon wedges

• A drizzle of olive oil

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🍽️ Texture & Flavor

• Chicken becomes extremely tender

• Rice absorbs all the lemon–garlic–herb juices

• Fluffy, fragrant, perfectly cooked

• Mediterranean flavors throughout

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🔄 Mediterranean Variations

Greek Lemon Forgotten Chicken

• Add capers + dill

• Finish with feta and extra lemon

Italian Forgotten Chicken

• Add sun-dried tomatoes + basil

• Sprinkle with parmesan after baking

Turkish Forgotten Chicken

• Add a pinch of cumin

• Serve with yogurt & parsley

Low-Carb Version

Replace rice with:

• Cauliflower rice (added halfway through)

• OR sliced zucchini under the chicken