Baked Spinach Lemon Rice
Brighten up your dinner table with this vibrant and flavorful Baked Spinach Lemon Rice, a perfect blend of zesty citrus, fresh herbs, and tender basmati rice. This easy-to-make side dish combines nutrient-packed spinach, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and fragrant dill and parsley for a dish that’s as healthy as it is delicious. Baked to perfection in a single oven-safe skillet, the rice absorbs the tangy vegetable broth for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Ideal for weeknight meals or as an elegant accompaniment to grilled fish or chicken, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is gluten-free, customizable, and ready in under an hour. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil for a refreshing finishing touch!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup white basmati rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then strain and set aside.
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
Stir in the rinsed rice, ensuring it gets coated in the oil and onion mixture. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Add the vegetable broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Add the chopped spinach, dill, and parsley, folding them into the mixture evenly.
Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender.
Remove from the oven and fluff the rice with a fork. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.
Serve warm as a side dish or light main course, garnished with extra herbs or lemon wedges if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1245 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.6 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.6 g | 28% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3563 mg | 155% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 202.4 g | 74% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.7 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.6 g | ||
| Protein | 26.5 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 252 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 7.5 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 1310 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
