Name: Greek Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups chicken broth; 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base; 2 cups long-grain rice, (rinsed and drained); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup yellow onion, (finely chopped); 4 cloves garlic, (minced); 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (2-3 lemons); zest of 1 lemon; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill; 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, (minced); 2 tablespoons butter; salt to taste

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If you’ve ever wondered how Greek restaurants make that bright, lemony rice that seems to go with everything, this Greek rice recipe is the answer. Cooked in rich chicken broth and finished with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, parsley, and butter, it’s fluffy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

This Greek lemon rice makes the perfect side dish for grilled chicken, seafood, lamb, and other Mediterranean-inspired meals. It’s also delicious tucked into rice bowls, served alongside salads, or used as the base for hearty soups and casseroles.

If you love Mediterranean flavors, be sure to try my Mediterranean Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, and Tzatziki Sauce next.

Before You Begin

✨ Toast the rice before adding the liquid. Cooking the rice in olive oil for a few minutes develops a deeper flavor and helps keep the grains light and fluffy.

✨ Use fresh lemon juice and zest. Fresh lemons provide the bright, citrusy flavor that makes Greek rice so delicious. Bottled lemon juice won’t deliver the same fresh taste.

✨ Keep the lid on while the rice cooks. Lifting the lid releases steam and can affect the texture of the finished rice. Let the rice cook undisturbed until tender.

✨ Let the rice rest before fluffing. Once the rice is done cooking, allow it to sit covered for 10 minutes. This helps the grains finish absorbing moisture and stay separate instead of becoming sticky.

✨ Food Safety: Leftover Greek rice should be cooled and refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Store in an airtight container and enjoy within 3-4 days.

Why This Recipe Works

✔️ Big Mediterranean Flavor: Fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, and parsley give this rice its bright Greek-inspired flavor.

✔️ Fluffy, Tender Texture: Toasting the rice before cooking helps keep the grains separate and prevents mushy rice.

✔️ Made With Pantry Staples: Simple ingredients like rice, broth, onion, and garlic transform into a side dish that tastes restaurant-worthy.

✔️ Pairs With Almost Everything: This Greek rice is delicious with chicken, seafood, lamb, vegetables, and your favorite Mediterranean recipes.

Greek Rice Ingredients

Long-Grain Rice: Creates fluffy, separate grains that absorb all the delicious lemony broth.

Chicken Broth + Better Than Bouillon: Gives the rice a rich, savory foundation and much more flavor than water alone.

Onion + Garlic: Build the aromatic base that makes this rice taste homemade and comforting.

Fresh Lemon Juice + Lemon Zest: The signature flavors that make this Greek rice bright, fresh, and citrusy.

Dill + Parsley: Add classic Mediterranean flavor and a pop of fresh color.

Butter: Stirred in at the end for richness and a silky finish.

Greek Rice Recipe Notes + Variations

Peas: Peas are a nice addition. Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup. When I add them, I add frozen petite peas straight from the freezer for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Dill: If you’re not a big fan of dill or if you just don’t have any on hand, you can omit it from the recipe. The rice is, honestly, really delicious with or without it! You can add fresh parsley in place of the dill. Fresh herbs really make this extra delicious.

Mint: Many recipes add fresh or dried mint. I prefer it without, but feel free to add it if you’d like.

Salt: For my taste, the chicken stock adds enough salt to this recipe. Wait until the end of the recipe to taste the finished dish and adjust the salt.

Add Feta cheese: Adding some Feta is just a natural. Add it when you add the lemon zest. The rice will still be hot, so the Feta will melt a bit. If you don’t want the Feta to melt, simply add it when the rice has cooled down or sprinkle it on right before you serve the rice.

Add turmeric powder or saffron. Up that flavor with Greek-inspired spices! Adding turmeric or saffron gives you Mediterranean rice, which is very similar to the famous yellow Greek rice.

Greek Rice Pilaf: If you’d like to convert this recipe to a pilaf, begin by sautéing 1/2 cup to 1 cup of vermicelli in the pot, stirring constantly in 1 tablespoon of olive oil just until it becomes golden brown..When it begins to color, watch it very closely as it can go from beautifully golden to badly burnt in the blink of an eye! You can also add slivered almonds or pine nuts to the pilaf. Then continue on with the recipe as directed, adding more chicken broth to cook the vermicelli through.

🥣 How To Make Greek Rice

This Greek rice comes together in just a few simple steps. First, you’ll sauté the onion and garlic until softened, then toast the rice in olive oil to develop extra flavor. Next, the rice simmers in a mixture of chicken broth, lemon juice, and seasonings until perfectly tender. Finally, it’s finished with fresh lemon zest, dill, parsley, and butter for the bright, fresh flavor that makes this Greek rice so irresistible.

What To Serve With Greek Rice

Greek chicken, of course! That’s the obvious main dish and the one that best complements the Greek rice recipe. The flavors balance each other so well! If you want, you can also wrap some chicken and this rice in a pita for a delicious take on a sandwich!

If you want to veer away from Mediterranean mains, it’s amazing with my grilled flank steak, or try whipping up grilled cilantro lime chicken! The citrus pop of the chicken goes wonderfully with the citrus pop in the rice. A match made in heaven! And, it goes fabulously with our chicken souvlaki, and a good grilled steak. We love to serve veggies such as our simple roasted peppers (bell peppers) and our honey glazed carrots alongside this rice.

Storing + Freezing + Make-Ahead

How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? Leftovers can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days. If they’re a little dry when you pull them out, add a sprinkle of water before you reheat them. Then just fluff with a fork and dig in!

How To Reheat:

Microwave: Place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of water or chicken broth over the top. Cover loosely and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
Stovetop: Add the rice to a skillet with a splash of water or chicken broth. Cover and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

Can You Freeze This Greek Rice Recipe? Yes! This is a great way to have flavorful rice on hand when you need it. Follow the recipe below, then just seal and freeze for up to 6 months. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat! You may need to add a little water before you heat it up to rehydrate some of the grains.

Make-Ahead Tips: This Greek rice recipe keeps so well that if you need to make it ahead of time to have it on hand, go for it! It tastes just as good the next day as it does fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

♦ What makes rice Greek style?

Greek rice is typically cooked in broth and flavored with lemon, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs such as dill, parsley, or oregano. The result is a bright, flavorful side dish that pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables.

♦ Can I make Greek rice with brown rice?

Yes! Brown rice can be substituted for white rice, but it will require additional cooking time and liquid. Brown rice creates a heartier texture and slightly nuttier flavor.

♦ Why is my Greek rice mushy?

Mushy rice is usually caused by too much liquid, overcooking, or stirring the rice too frequently. Be sure to use the correct rice-to-liquid ratio and allow the rice to rest before fluffing.

♦ What goes well with Greek rice?

Greek rice pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, lamb, souvlaki, Mediterranean salads, and roasted vegetables.

♦ Can I make Greek rice ahead of time?

Absolutely! Greek rice reheats well and can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Still have questions? Drop them in the comments — I love helping you cook with confidence! 💗

More Mediterranean-Inspired Recipes

Looking for more fresh, flavor-packed recipes? These Mediterranean favorites pair beautifully with Greek rice and make it easy to build a complete meal.

Chicken Souvlaki — Tender marinated chicken skewers grilled until juicy and packed with bright Mediterranean flavor.

Greek Moussaka — A comforting Greek casserole layered with eggplant, potatoes, seasoned beef, and creamy béchamel sauce.

Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes — Tender chicken and perfectly roasted potatoes are infused with bright lemon, garlic, and herbs for a classic Greek-inspired dinner that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Sheet Pan Mediterranean Vegetables — Tender roasted vegetables seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and olive oil.

Greek Chicken — Juicy, flavorful chicken that pairs perfectly with the bright lemon and herb flavors in this rice.

Tried This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating below to let me know how your Greek Rice turned out. Did you serve it with chicken, seafood, or your favorite Mediterranean meal?

📸 Made it? Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @gonna_want_seconds so I can see your delicious creation!

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Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! ❤️ Kathleen

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