Lemon Herb Rice with Parsley and Dill
In short: Fluffy rice cooked with softened onion and garlic in stock, finished with lemon zest, juice, parsley and dill. A bright side for fish and chicken. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Plain rice becomes a proper side dish with a few small steps: soften an onion in olive oil, toast the rice for a minute, cook it in stock and finish with lemon zest and plenty of fresh herbs added after cooking, when their flavor is at its brightest. It goes with roast or grilled chicken, fish and vegetables, and takes just over half an hour. Leftovers make a good base for a quick lunch bowl.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook for 5 minutes until soft but not browned. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until the grains look glossy and slightly translucent at the edges.
- Pour in the hot stock, add the 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a little pepper, and bring to a boil. Stir once, then lower the heat, cover and cook for 12 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and leave it covered for 10 minutes.
- Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley and dill.
- Taste and add more salt, pepper or lemon if needed, then serve hot.
Tips
- Stir in the herbs and lemon at the end, because heat dulls them and turns the herbs dark. Mint, chives or cilantro can replace the dill.
- Toasted almonds or pine nuts add crunch, and a drizzle of good olive oil at the end gives a richer finish.
Questions and answers
Can I make lemon herb rice ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the rice up to 1 day ahead, cool it quickly and refrigerate it. Reheat until steaming hot with a splash of water, then stir in fresh herbs and lemon juice just before serving.
What does lemon herb rice go with?
Roast chicken, grilled fish, shrimp, lamb chops and roasted vegetables are all good partners.
Can I use basmati or jasmine rice?
Yes, both work with the same amounts. Jasmine turns out a little softer and basmati more separate.
How long does it take to make Lemon Herb Rice with Parsley and Dill?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lemon Herb Rice with Parsley and Dill?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 63 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 63 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
