This Greek Lemon Rice comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredient Breakdown
When it comes to the best Greek Lemon Rice, the ingredients are simple but full of flavor. You’ll need:
200 grams long grain rice, soaked, washed, and drained: This is your base! The soaking process helps the rice cook more evenly, making each grain fluffy and perfect.
60 ml olive oil: We use olive oil for that rich, aromatic flavor that complements the lemon beautifully. Plus, it’s heart-healthy!
1 onion, finely diced: Ah, the onion! It adds so much sweetness when sautéed, creating a fantastic foundation for our dish.
2 garlic cloves, finely minced: Garlic lovers, rejoice! This will make your kitchen smell heavenly.
500 ml chicken stock: If you want to take this rice to the next level, using homemade stock is ideal. But store-bought works just fine and is quicker!
2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped: Dill is practically the heart of this recipe, bringing in that signature Greek flavor.
1 teaspoon lemon zest: This is where your lemony notes come alive! The zest gives a fabulous, concentrated lemon flavor without being too sour.
Juice of 1 lemon: Fresh is best! This juice will add a bright, tangy finish to your rice.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped: A sprinkle of parsley not only adds a pop of color but a fresh taste as well.
Optional additions: You can throw in some chopped bell peppers, peas, spinach, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even some toasted pine nuts or almonds. Go wild!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Soak the Rice: Begin by soaking the rice in water for about 20-30 minutes. This helps the rice grains maintain their structure, so you won’t end up with mushy rice. After soaking, rinse and drain the rice well.
Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add in your finely diced onion and garlic, stirring occasionally until they’re fragrant and the onion is translucent, around 3-5 minutes.
Toast the Rice: Here’s a fun step! Add the drained rice to the pan. Stir frequently and toast it in that warm olive oil for about 2-3 minutes, getting those lovely, nutty flavors to develop.
Add the Stock: Pour in the chicken stock, raise the heat to bring it to a boil, and then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it be for 12-15 minutes without lifting the lid! This steaming is key.
Let It Rest: Once the time is up, take it off the heat and cover it for another 5 minutes. This allows the rice to finish cooking and absorb all the flavors!
Time to Fluff & Add Flavor: Grab a fork and fluff that rice! Then mix in the dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and add a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined, and you have a vibrant bowl of flavor.
If you loved this quick and easy Greek Lemon Rice, be sure to check out my Hawaiian Fried Rice, my Garlic Butter Rice, or my French Onion Rice!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This amazing dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic weeknight dinners when you need something delicious fast!
One Pot Wonder
Everything is made in one pot, which means, yup, minimal cleanup. Seriously, all you need is a skillet, and you’re golden, making this meal a winner for busy nights.
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it! I’ve made this for get-togethers, and it always sparks conversation about how much flavor is packed into such a simple dish.
Comfort Food
It’s loaded with tons of flavor from the fresh ingredients, making it feel like a warm hug on your plate. So cozy!
Customizable
You can easily switch up the ingredients based on what you have, making it a practical choice that won’t leave you scrambling. Talk about friendly cooking!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Greek Lemon Rice
I love serving this Greek Lemon Rice as a side dish to grilled chicken or fish. It pairs beautifully with a crisp salad and tzatziki! You could also drizzle a bit of olive oil or extra lemon juice on top for added flavor. Yum!
Storage
This rice will keep in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container, nobody wants stale rice!
Reheating Instructions
For best results, pop your rice in the microwave until heated through, stirring halfway to ensure even warmth. Alternatively, you can sauté it in a skillet with a splash of water to bring it back to life.
Freezer Friendly?
You bet! You can freeze Greek Lemon Rice for up to 2 months. Just cool it completely before placing it in a freezer bag. To reheat, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and then follow reheating instructions above.
With this Greek Lemon Rice, you’re not just serving a dish; you’re putting together a delightful meal that your family will look forward to every time. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cooking!
Remember, cooking is all about improvisation, if you have leftover veggies or proteins, throw them in and enjoy your creation. Trust me, you’re gonna love how quick and simple this meal is, and it just might become a staple in your kitchen, just like it did in mine!
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Greek Lemon Rice
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delicious one-pot Greek Lemon Rice comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredients
- 200 grams long grain rice, soaked, washed, and drained
- 60 ml olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 500 ml chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Optional additions: chopped bell peppers, peas, spinach, grilled chicken, shrimp, toasted pine nuts, or almonds
Instructions
- Soak the rice in water for about 20-30 minutes, then rinse and drain well.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add finely diced onion and garlic, stirring until fragrant and the onion is translucent (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add the drained rice to the pan, stirring frequently to toast it in the olive oil for about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for 12-15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- After 15 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and let it rest for another 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and mix in the dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
This rice can be served as a side dish or as a main dish and is easily customizable with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg