Quick Lemon Broccoli Rice
Brighten up your weeknight dinners with Quick Lemon Broccoli Rice—an easy, flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses. This one-pot dish combines fluffy white rice, tender broccoli florets, and the zesty burst of fresh lemon for a refreshing twist on classic rice recipes. Infused with sautéed garlic and finished with a drizzle of olive oil, this recipe is both light and aromatic, delivering bold flavors in just 30 minutes. Perfectly seasoned with a touch of black pepper and garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, this versatile dish is a delicious way to elevate simple ingredients into something special. Whether you're serving it alongside grilled chicken or enjoying it as a vegetarian main, Quick Lemon Broccoli Rice is sure to become a go-to favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups water
- 1 medium lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Set it aside to drain.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir once, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed.
While the rice is cooking, chop the broccoli into small bite-sized florets. Mince the garlic and zest the lemon, setting the zest aside. Cut the lemon in half and juice it, discarding any seeds.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and stir to coat. Cover the skillet and let the broccoli steam for 3-5 minutes, or until it becomes tender and vibrant green.
Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and add it to the skillet with the broccoli. Stir to combine.
Pour the lemon juice over the rice and broccoli mixture, then sprinkle in the lemon zest and black pepper. Stir well to distribute the flavors evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired.
Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley if using.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
530 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.7 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2432 mg | 106% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61.6 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.2 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.8 g | ||
| Protein | 12.0 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 168 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 186 mg | 4% | |
*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.
