Can this be made in under 30 minutes?

Yes, the recipe is designed to be quick and efficient.

Does it work for meal prep?

Most versions store well for one to three days.

Yes, simple swaps can be made for convenience or dietary needs.

Scale

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Pat chicken dry and season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until shimmering.
Brown chicken 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden, then remove to a plate.
Add garlic to the skillet and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in rice and toast 1 minute, stirring to coat with oil and garlic.
Add chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice, stirring to combine.
Nestle browned chicken back into the rice and bring to a simmer.
Cover skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender.
Stir in frozen vegetables, re-cover, and cook 3 to 4 minutes until heated through.
Sprinkle parsley over the top and serve warm.

For easier prep, consider using pre-minced garlic and thawed frozen vegetables. You can swap chicken thighs for breasts if preferred.