To a medium saucepan, add the chicken, salt, peppercorns, garlic, and enough water to cover. Squeeze in the lemon and add the spent rind to the pan. Add the thyme and bay leaf, if using.
Fortunately, there's a countertop solution to cook a whole chicken without ever turning on the oven: a panini press ... and you'll have a perfectly juicy end result complete with crispy skin.
If you've never tried cooking rice in the oven, here's your sign to give it a go. This is a flavour-packed one-pot meal, where chicken thighs and rice bake together after a quick initial cook.