This Lemon Rice recipe is so good, you will want to eat it plain, straight out of the pot! It’s a Greek Rice made with sautéed onion and garlic, rice cooked in chicken broth then finished off with lemon and herbs.
Serve this Greek Lemon Rice with your favourite Greek food like Greek Chicken, Gyros Chicken, Greek Meatballs or Souvlaki!
Greek Lemon Rice recipe
I made this Lemon Rice Pilaf as a side for a Greek Feast that I shared in my Chicken Souvlaki recipe. And I promise, it is so good, you honestly will want to eat it straight from the pot.
The reason this is not just “another flavoured rice” is because it’s made as a pilaf.
A pilaf is simply a rice dish that starts like risotto – sautéing garlic and onion in olive oil (or butter), then stirring in the rice grains until they become translucent with the oil, then cooking the rice in a broth.
Cooking rice in this way transforms plain rice into a flavoured dish that is tasty enough to eat plain.
In fact, there are many rice dishes around the world that are made this way, loaded up with even more flavour and with proteins added. From risottos, to Spanish Paella, Indian Biryani and Jambalaya.
This Lemon Rice is a side dish so I’ve kept it quite simple. Pictured above, as a side dish with some juicy Garlic Prawns (Shrimp).
While some Lemon Rice recipes cook the rice with the lemon juice, my preference is to stir the lemon through the rice once it is cooked. I find that the lemon flavour is fresher, and also I stir it through while the rice is hot so it sucks in all that fresh flavour.
YUM!
Greek Lemon Rice is super versatile, but especially perfect for Mediterranean dishes. Think: Greek food, Spanish, Italian. And of course seafood. This goes fabulously with any form of seafood.
Enjoy! – Nagi x
Try this Greek Lemon Rice with…
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Greek mains – Greek Chicken , Gyros Chicken (skip the pita bread, or stuff the rice inside it!), Greek Meatballs, Souvlaki
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Garlic Prawns (pictured)
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Crispy Pan Fried Fish – or try it with this amazing Lemon Butter Sauce
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Super Quick Crispy Garlic Chicken or sticky Honey Garlic Chicken
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Don’t forget greens! Can’t go past a Greek Salad
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Lemon Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin oil (or butter)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1/2 onion , finely chopped (white, brown, yellow)
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice , uncooked (Note 1)
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 large lemon (1 tsp zest + 3 - 4 tbsp lemon juice)
- 3 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp finely chopped dill (or sub with parsley, oregano, basil chives, mint)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in large saucepan or small pot.
- Add garlic and onion. Cook for 5 minutes or until translucent and sweet.
- Add rice and stir until rice turns mostly translucent.
- Add broth and water. Place lid on, bring to simmer then turn heat down to low.
- Cook for 12 minutes or until water is evaporated.
- Remove from from stove and rest for 10 minutes (keep the lid on).
- Remove lid. stir through lemon zest, lemon juice, herbs and salt and pepper to taste.
- Lovey served warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Try this Greek Feast!
Complete with Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki, Easy Soft Flatbreads (No Yeast), Greek Salad and this Lemon Rice Pilaf.
Kuruma says
Hello Nagi,
Love your blog and recipes! Just one thing, it is a commonly but mistaken belief that paella starts with frying the rice which is not exactly like that. After frying the meats you create a broth with the fried meats and vegs and then you add the rice. That is what theory says, but TBH I make it fried most of the times! Gives me a better control on the “Al Dente-ness” l want to achieve.
G Wiseman says
Absolutely Devine
Amy says
Hi Nagi,
Can I use parboiled rice for this recipe? Thanks!!
Nagi says
Hi Amy, no that won’t work in this recipe unfortunately as it will overcook and the liquid ratios will be out. N x
Vanessa says
This rice was phenomenal!! I added a dollop of butter at the very end with the herbs. Paired it with some chicken gyros and tzatziki. Thanks for a wonderful recipe!!
Nagi says
Yum! Sounds like you nailed it Vanessa! N x
Susan Monk says
My family absolutely loved the lemon rice pilaf. They commented on the wonderful flavor and the great aroma. They said it was a great complement to their Falafel and pita bread. Thanks for a great recipe I will prepare again and again.
Angie says
This is awesome rice, but can I freeze any leftovers? Hate to waste it
Nagi says
Hi Angie, yes you definitely can! N x
Angie says
Can I freeze some for later?
Suz says
I normally wash the rice before cooking, should I ignore that process and use the rice as is? Please advise.
Nagi says
Hi Sue, no nee to wash the rice here – N x
Corrinne says
No need to wash the rice? Really? Rice is filthy! Does it change the recipe?
Nagi says
If your rice is filthy then yes of course, wash it. But if you bought it at a store in packets, then it should be clean!
Grace says
Devine! Served it with some roasted lamb and a mint pesto sauce I make. 😊
Kelly says
I LOVE this recipe. Super easy and my teenage son asks for this over and over, for a boy who is eating chicken rice and veg for his gym workouts – he could eat this everyday until he dies he’s said. Well done xx
Megan says
Made this this evening, and it was fantastic! Perfect addition to the souvlaki, and veg.
Nagi says
Sounds fabulous Megan, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! N x
Leane Oftebro says
Tasted amazing! Thankyou
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Leane! N x
Angelina says
Yes Nagi, I could eat this plain on its own – and I did! It was so delicious and my 3 picky eaters all loved it.
Nagi says
I’m so glad it was a hit Angelina, that’s great! N x
Victoria says
I make this frequently but I use basmati and brown the rice unevenly in oil first. It adds a lovely nutty flavour
Freda says
Never made a pilaf before and now this will be the only pilaf I ever make! Simple, healthy, and so good! It paired perfectly with my gyros for my Greek dinner party! Thank you!
Nagi says
Perfect combo Freda!
Michelle says
Hi Nagi, I am so glad that I discovered your blog. I am going to make this rice to dat with garlic honey chicken. Must the rice be washed before cooking?
Nagi says
Hi Michelle, no need to rinse the rice. I hope you love it!
Michelle says
Thanks Nagi. I am sure I will love it. I love everything that has lemon in it.
Debbie says
This was delicious it will be a new favourite. My fussy husband even loved it
Nagi says
That’s the best compliment Debbie!
Cordelia says
Hi, Nagi, I love to cook but I have a problem with rice. I can’t get plain rice right. It’s always hard and mushy at the same time. Can you please post a recipe for plain rice? Thanks a lot, I love your cooking.
Nagi says
You’re not going to believe this….. my “how to cook rice” recipe is coming out TOMORROW!!!! N xx
Joan Sheehan says
Nagi your recipes are looking very tasty!! Thanks for posting them! I am doing lemon rice tonight!!!
Nagi says
Love to know what you think Joan, keep me updated!
Natalie says
Can this be done in a rice cooker?