Lemon Rice
Lemon rice is a refreshing side dish for any meal. A creamy mixture of orzo pasta and long grain rice cook in broth and get seasoned with Greek seasoning and bright citrusy lemon.
As the weather warms up, I find myself wanting brighter fresh flavors.
Citrus everything.
And this lemon rice is the perfect way to incorporate those fresh flavors into your dinners.
It’s a Greek inspired dish with loads of Greek seasoning stirred into the creamy mixture of rice and orzo.
The rice itself pairs well with grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, salmon, or even falafel balls.
Whatever you make this rice with, you’ll be so happy you did!
Ingredients
To make this you’ll need:
- Olive oil– Extra virgin
- Orzo pasta– This is one time when you can’t substitute another pasta shape because you want the pasta to be the same size as the rice.
- Long grain rice– Basmati or jasmine
- Broth– I am using chicken broth but you could use vegetable broth if needed.
- Butter– Unsalted
- Greek seasoning– Generally a blend of garlic powder, basil, oregano, cinnamon, parsley, rosemary, dill, marjoram, cornstarch, thyme, and nutmeg. Use your favorite blend.
- Lemon– Juiced and zested
- Salt and pepper– To taste
How to Make
Making this flavorful lemon rice is easy!
Just heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium high heat.
When the oil is hot, add the orzo and rice to the pan and let them toast, stirring often.
Then stir the broth, butter, and Greek seasoning into the skillet until everything is evenly combined.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Let the mixture come to a boil.
Once the mixture boils, immediately turn the heat down to medium low so the mixture is just simmering.
Cover it and let it keep simmering for 15 minutes or just until the rice and pasta are tender and have absorbed the liquid.
When the rice is tender, stir in the lemon juice and zest.
Fluff with a fork, serve warm, and enjoy!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
Tips and Tricks
- Turn this side dish into a meal by adding chopped rotisserie chicken or steamed shrimp.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest is a must. The flavor of the rice relies on the fresh lemon.
- You could top the rice with some crumbled feta and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
Other Rice Recipes
Lemon rice is a bright, fresh side dish that pairs well with any of your Greek inspired mains.
Make it and enjoy!
Looking for other rice side dishes?
Try these:
If you’ve tried this LEMON RICE, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Lemon Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup long grain rice basmati or jasmine preferred
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp Greek seasoning
- 1 lemon juiced & zested
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large skillet set over medium high heat. Add the orzo and rice to the pan and cook, stirring often, just until they're golden brown and lightly toasted.2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup orzo pasta, 1 cup long grain rice
- Add the broth, butter, and Greek seasoning to the skillet and stir everything together until evenly combined. Season with salt & pepper, to taste.3 cups chicken broth, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 tbsp Greek seasoning, salt & pepper
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes- just until the rice and pasta are tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Add the lemon juice and zest to the rice, stirring to combine.1 lemon
- Fluff with a fork, serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
- Turn this side dish into a meal by adding chopped rotisserie chicken or steamed shrimp.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest is a must. The flavor of the rice relies on the fresh lemon.
- You could top the rice with some crumbled feta and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
Nutrition
