Bright and Buttery Greek Lemon Rice

Name: Bright and Buttery Greek Lemon Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small yellow onion, finely diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice; 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and black pepper to taste

This simple lemon and herb rice is the perfect light side dish to brighten up any meal.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Greek· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

There is something so satisfying about a fluffy bowl of lemon rice. It is one of those classic side dishes that I find myself making whenever I want something fresh and comforting to serve alongside roasted chicken or fresh grilled vegetables.

My best tip for this recipe is to use a really good quality chicken or vegetable broth. Since the rice absorbs all that liquid, the flavor of the broth makes a huge difference in the final taste of the dish.

🧺 Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2
Add the onion and cook until it is soft and translucent, which should take about five minutes.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and rice. Sauté for two minutes until the rice grains are lightly toasted.
4
Pour in the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight fitting lid.
6
Simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
7
Remove from the heat and let it sit covered for five minutes.
8
Fluff with a fork, stir in the fresh parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

💡 Tips

This rice keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. If you want to brighten up leftovers, just squeeze a little extra fresh lemon juice over the top before reheating.

#Greek #Rice #Vegetarian #Side Dish #Easy

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