Greek Lemon Rice

You will love my version of Greek rice. It is packed full of flavor, delicious and satisfying. This side dish is so easy that you can hardly mess it up.

If you own an instant pot, this recipe will be right up your alley, as it can be ready in 15 minutes, and you don’t have to worry about burning it.

Greek Lemon dill rice is easy to make on the stovetop and in the instant pot, like my seasoned rice, instant pot coconut rice, and cilantro lime rice.

Related recipes: prawn saganaki and Greek lettuce salad

Why you will love this Greek lemon rice

• It is quick, easy, and pretty straightforward to make

• A perfect side dish that can grace any dinner table

• Ready in under 30 minutes, and it is made in one pot

• It is vegan and vegetarian

• Perfect to feed a crowd

What you will need

2 cups of rice: I am using golden sella basmati rice for this recipe. It is my go-to rice and cooks just like long white rice. Substitute with any other type of rice you are comfortable cooking.

1 Tablespoon oregano

1 teaspoon dried dillweed

⅓cup olive oil or adjust to taste

½ cup brown onion chopped

3 garlic cloves finely chopped

2 Tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Fresh parsley

3 cups low-sodium chicken stock/broth: this can be adjusted to the ratio that suits the type of rice you are using

Salt to taste

How to make Greek lemon rice

Wash the rice under cold water until the water runs clean, drain it in a colander, and set it aside.

Place a saucepan on medium heat. Add olive oil and heat until hot. Next, add chopped onions and garlic and cook until soft, translucent, and fragrant. Add dried oregano and dillweed to the sauteed aromatics, stir to combine, and cook for about 30 seconds to bloom the flavors of the herbs.

Add washed rice to the aromatics and stir to combine; cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn.

Pour the chicken stock over the rice and stir to combine. Add salt to taste as desired. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover it with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Add the zest of one lemon, the juice from the lemon, and chopped parsley, then stir to combine or fluff with a fork.

Remove from heat and cover for another 5 minutes, allowing the rice to steam and fluff up nicely.

Serve your delicious Greek lemon rice as a side dish to your favorite main course or enjoy it on its own.

Why not serve it with this delicious, tender, and juicy Nando’s butterfly chicken?

Tips

• Use fresh lemon for optimum flavor. The flavor of fresh lemon isn’t comparable to that of bottled lemon juice.
• Adjust the amount of lemon you will add to the rice to taste.
• You can substitute the dried herbs for fresh ones and adjust the amount you will use to paste.