Easy Lemon Orzo Rice Recipe Is Something Special (20 Minutes) by Donna John

Rice and orzo are popular side dish ingredients, but combine the two and add lemon, and you've got something special! This quick and easy lemon orzo rice recipe has minimal prep and cooks up in 15 minutes flat. The lemony rice and pasta complements almost any dinner, from seafood to chicken to pork to beef to lamb.

To make this rice side dish you will need to gather the following ingredients: olive oil, orzo, long-grain white rice, chicken broth, butter, seasoning of choice (Italian, Mediterranean, Tuscan or Greek) and a lemon for juicing and zesting. The rice cooks up on the stovetop in about 15 minutes.

This grain side dish recipe is one you'll want to have around when you need something delicious fast for dinner. If you like rice salads and even pasta salads, add some shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked shrimp and serve it cold.

Cuisine: American / Mediterranean 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup orzo
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1/4 cup chopped onion 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, Mediterranean seasoning, Tuscan seasoning or Greek seasoning
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested

Recipe Notes

• An easy way to rinse rice is to put it into a mesh strainer and run it under cold water.
  

• You could stir some fresh chopped parsley into the rice before serving.

• I used low-sodium chicken broth for this recipe. You could also use vegetable broth or just plain water.

• Next time I will put some slices of lemon on top of the rice before covering it and letting it simmer. 

• Store the rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan or skillet with a lid. Add the orzo and rice, and cook until it starts to turn golden brown.
   
   
2. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, about 2 minutes.
   
3. Add the chicken broth, butter and seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice and orzo are tender and liquid has evaporated.
   
   
4. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.
   
5. Serve with additional slices of lemon and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
   
   

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