Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Greek Chicken and Jasmine Lemon Rice with Spinach, Tomatoes and

Chickpeas 

                        

Cook's Notes:  Greek Chicken and Jasmine Lemon Rice with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Chickpeas is packed with so much flavor! This Mediterranean recipe features spinach, grape tomatoes, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), feta cheese, paprika, and oregano. It's healthy, gluten-free, protein-rich, and fiber-rich. The secret to tender chicken is marinating the chicken in buttermilk for two hours. The recipe serves four and was adapted from juliasalbum.com

Chicken Ingredients: 

• 4 small chicken breasts 
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
• Buttermilk
• 1 cup onions, diced 

Chicken Directions: 

• In a large bowl, place chicken and cover with buttermilk. Marinate chicken for two hours, turning once in the bowl. 
• Drain chicken in a colander.  
• In a small bowl, mix the spices. 
• Place chicken on foil to grill and sprinkle with spices using half the mixture. Divide onions among the four chicken breasts.  After 15 minutes, sprinkle the remaining spice mixture on the other side of the chicken. 
• If not grilling, the chicken can be baked at 325 degrees for 40 minutes (the thermometer should read 165 degrees) following the steps above.  

Greek Lemon Rice Ingredients: 

• 1-1/2 cups Jasmine rice, uncooked
• 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter
• 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon each dried oregano and parsley flakes 
• 2-3 cups baby spinach, stems removed
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• 3/4 of a can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained 

Greek Lemon Rice Directions: 

• In a large saucepan, melt butter with olive oil. Saute uncooked rice, garlic, tomatoes, and spices until the rice begins to slightly brown.
• Add in 2 cups of water and mix well. Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to simmer for 12 minutes covered. Add in spinach leaves, chickpeas, and fresh lemon squeezes. Mix well and heat for 2 minutes more.    
• Remove from heat, and keep covered until ready to serve.   

To Serve 

• Top the chicken and rice meal with herbed feta crumbles.