Light and Flavorful Greek Lemon Rice for Every Occasion
Light and Flavorful Greek Lemon Rice for Every Occasion is the perfect dish to brighten your meals with its refreshing and zesty flavors. This versatile rice can stand alone as a light main course or complement any Mediterranean-inspired protein, making it a fantastic addition to both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings. With its delightful aroma of lemon and garlic, this dish is sure to have everyone coming back for seconds! Plus, it’s quick to prepare, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately four people 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup long grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes until soft; add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Stir in the rice, coating it with the oil and aromatics. Toast for about 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer undisturbed for 18-20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Remove from heat and let sit covered for an additional 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Adjust seasoning if necessary and garnish with parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg