Description
Mediterranean Butter Rice is a fluffy, oven-baked rice dish infused with garlic, butter, fresh herbs, and bright lemon flavor. This easy side is rich, cozy, and perfectly seasoned—ideal for pairing with chicken, seafood, or roasted vegetables on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 2⅔ cups unsalted chicken broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 6 tablespoons butter
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Add rinsed rice to the dish.
- Pour in chicken broth and crumble the bouillon cube over the top.
- Add butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, chives, thyme, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Stir gently to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove foil and stir rice.
- Return to oven uncovered and bake an additional 20–30 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Let rest 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving.
Notes
- Rinse rice before cooking to prevent excess starch and clumping.
- For milder flavor, reduce cayenne and chili flakes.
- If using salted butter, reduce added salt.
- Letting the rice rest after baking helps create a fluffier texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: Oven-baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg