If you love side dishes that are easy, comforting, and quietly impressive, my Baked Lemon Rice belongs on your table. Baked in the oven with butter, garlic, herbs, and fresh lemon, it turns out fluffy, fragrant, and full of bright flavor — and I designed this recipe to work without standing over the stove. It’s a dependable, hands-off Baked Rice Side Dish that pairs effortlessly with chicken, beef, or pork and works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for company!

I designed this easy Lemon Butter Rice Recipe and tested it to work in real kitchens – so you can rely on delicious, easy flavor and a simple method for this to-die-for side dish!

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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Bake Lemon Rice

The Simple Baked Lemon Rice I Serve with Chicken, Beef, and More in just a few steps: combine rice, stock, butter, herbs, garlic, and lemon in a baking dish, cover tightly, and bake until the rice is fluffy, tender, and full of bright lemon flavor.

Baked Lemon Rice Ingredients

To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups rice: are the base of the dish, baking up fluffy and tender as they absorb all the buttery, lemony flavor.
• 3 cups stock: provide moisture and savory depth, giving the rice much more flavor than water alone.
• 4 oz butter, cut into pieces: melt slowly as the rice bakes, adding richness and helping the grains cook evenly without drying out.
• 1 tablespoon onion flakes: add gentle onion flavor that blends seamlessly into the rice without overpowering it.
• 1 tablespoon Italian Herbs or Greek Freak seasoning: brings a blend of savory, herby notes that make the rice feel seasoned and complete.
• 1 teaspoon oregano: reinforces the herb flavor with a slightly earthy, classic Mediterranean note that pairs perfectly with lemon.
• 6 cloves garlic, minced: add warmth and depth, infusing the rice with savory flavor as it bakes.
• Zest of 1 lemon: delivers bright, fragrant citrus flavor without extra acidity, making the dish taste fresh and vibrant.
• Juice of 1 lemon: adds a pop of acidity that balances the butter and keeps the rice from feeling heavy.
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional): adds a fresh, clean finish and a bit of color that brightens the whole dish right before serving.

Steps to Bake Lemon Butter Rice

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Baked Lemon Butter Rice

Use long-grain rice: Long-grain white rice bakes up fluffy and separates well. Avoid instant or quick-cooking rice.

Cover tightly with foil: A tight seal is essential so the rice steams properly and absorbs the liquid.

Cut the butter into pieces: This helps it melt evenly throughout the rice instead of pooling in one spot.

Zest before juicing: Always zest the lemon first — it’s much easier and you’ll get more flavor.

Don’t stir while baking: Let the rice cook undisturbed for the best texture.

Fluff right away: Fluffing immediately after baking releases steam and prevents the rice from becoming gummy.

Adjust lemon to taste: For a milder flavor, start with half the lemon juice and add more after baking if needed.

Add herbs at the end: Fresh parsley brightens the dish without dulling during baking.

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