Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice

This delicious and easy Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice recipe is a healthy side dish made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. It’s a no-frills dish that goes well with nearly everything!

Love easy side dish recipes? Then you need to try my Pesto Risotto recipe and my Creamed Corn recipe!brown rice in a white bowl sprinkled with parmesan cheese and parsley

Healthy and Easy Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice

Brown rice is a staple in my kitchen. It is easier for your stomach to digest and unlike white rice has a quicker cooking time. Brown rice has a wonderfully nutty flavor and a nice bite.

Brown rice also known as the “unrefined” version of white rice is loaded with health benefits. 1 cup of brown rice equals 5g of protein and 4g of fiber! Brown rice has much more fiber and nutrients than white.

For this Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice recipe, I added fresh squeezed lemon juice, chopped parsley, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese to the cooked rice. Season with salt and pepper, and you’re done! How easy is that?

TIP: If you like this rice you will love my Cilantro Lime Brown Rice!

Key Ingredients

It’s not easy to get excited over a side dish, but this one is worth the hype! You only need a few fresh ingredients and pantry staples to make this healthy and delicious Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice.

You’ll need some olive oil, brown rice, a small onion (yellow or white), chicken broth (homemade is always best!), a lemon (for the juice and zest), a bay leaf, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese (freshly grated, if possible).

Reserve some lemon wedges, parsley, and parmesan to garnish before serving.

fluffing rice in silver saucepan

How To Make Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice

This Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice could not be easier to make!

Brown rice and onion: Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in rice and onion and saute for 2-3 minutes to get some color on the rice and onions.

sautéing brown rice and onion in skillet

Simmer rice: Once rice and onions are slightly browned and toasted add in chicken broth, lemon zest and bay leaf. Cook for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed.

adding broth and bay leaves to pot

Fluff rice: Take off of the heat and stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with parmesan cheese on top of each bowl and enjoy!

adding parsley to the cooked rice

Serve alongside fish, chicken, or grilled vegetables. It goes well with everything!

How To Make Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice | chefsavvy.com

Serving Suggestions

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

  • Store leftover cooled rice in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze cooked and cooled rice in a freezer-safe, airtight container or plastic bag for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat thawed or chilled rice in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Add some chicken broth if it seems dry.

lemon parmesan brown rice in medium saucepan

More Rice Recipes To Try

Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice

4.41 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice. A healthy side dish made with fresh squeezed lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Images:
  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in rice and onion and saute for 2-3 minutes to get some color on the rice and onions.
  • Once rice and onions are slightly browned and toasted add in chicken broth, lemon zest and bay leaf. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed.
  • Take off of the heat and stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with parmesan cheese on top of each bowl and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*Note: This rice was originally made with 5 minute brown rice. I have updated the recipe to use regular brown rice since more people have that in the pantry. However this recipe can be made with minute rice to shorten the total recipe time to 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts
Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice
Amount per Serving
Calories
219
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
5
g
8
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Sodium
 
434
mg
19
%
Potassium
 
268
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
39
g
13
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
187
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
16
mg
19
%
Calcium
 
33
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Brown Rice, Easy side dish, Healthy Recipes, Lemon Parmesan Brown Rice

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments - page 2/2

  • Krystyna

    The rice is called 15 min lemon rice – and yet you have to cook it for 30 min or until the rice is soft?…Hmmmm

    • Hi Krystyna,

      I originally made this recipe with minute rice but when I re did the pictures I decided to do it with regular brown rice. I figured more people have regular brown rice handy then minute rice. If you have minute rice though or are in a time pinch feel free to use that.

      Thanks,

      Kelley

  • Ashley

    I really wanted to like this but it just didn’t turn out. I cooked my rice for over an hour and it still wasn’t done. Maybe I was supposed to cover it to let it steam more? Also, this is called a 15 minute rice but the recipe says to cook the rice for 30 minutes. Just a little confusing is all. I’m giving it 2 stars since I know the flavors would have been delicious!

    • Hi Ashley,

      Sorry for the confusion. I updated this recipe a while back to include regular brown rice instead of instant brown rice. I found that most people didn’t have the minute rice in their pantry.

      And yes you do need to cover the rice. I have updated it in the recipe card. Sorry for the confusion!

      Kelley

15 EASY Summer 

FREE E-BOOK

*We hate spam and promise to keep your email safe

Dinner Recipes To Make!