Herb-Infused Lemon Garlic Rice Pilaf

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Fluffy rice pilaf cooked with garlic, fresh herbs, and bright lemon juice, perfect as a fragrant and flavorful base for any meal. This Mediterranean-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs long grain white rice, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear and drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the drained rice and toast, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until grains are lightly golden.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and fluff rice with a fork, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, and 2 tbsp lemon juice for a fresh herb finish.