My flavored white rice recipe is a mostly hands-off technique that always yields perfectly cooked, fluffy rice. Change the herbs & spices to jazz it up!

Many people struggle with perfectly cooked rice. If you’re one of them, my flavored white rice recipe with butter and lemon is for you! I’ve developed many recipes over the years, but this is one I am incredibly proud of. I’ve shared it on Instagram stories many times. Hundreds of people have made it and have had nothing but positive feedback!

Rice seems like it should be so simple, right? It seems easy enough, but millions struggle to make perfect rice, and I get it. There are several different varieties of rice, and they each require different cooking times, liquid amounts, and techniques.

What kind of rice should I use?
Do I have to rinse my rice?
How much water am I supposed to add?
Do I add butter or oil fat?
How long do I cook it?

It’s overwhelming. After testing several rice varieties and cooking methods, I landed on this recipe for perfectly cooked flavored white rice. It cooks in the oven, and it comes out perfect every time!

Flavored White Rice Recipe

Ingredients

Long-grain white rice. This is a must, and I don’t rinse it.
Broth. I suggest low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth for extra flavor.
Olive oil. It adds flavor and helps keep the rice grains from sticking together.
Butter. Stir in at the end for a big pop of buttery flavor.
Lemon. For a big burst of lemon flavor and freshness.
Sea salt. Salt brings out flavor and makes food better.
Black pepper. Because a little goes in almost every savory dish.
Fresh herbs. My go-to in this dish is Italian parsley, but the beauty of this flavor white rice recipe is its versatility. Add any herbs you want!

Pro tip. Rinsing the rice messes up the water-to-rice ratio. I will die on this hill, and many well-known chefs agree. I’ve tested this several times, and not rinsing the rice yields better results. If you want to rinse your rice, drain it very well and reduce the broth to 3 1/4 cups.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bring the broth, seasonings, and olive oil to a simmer.
Prepare a baking dish, and spread the rice in an even layer.
Pour the broth over the rice.
Tightly cover and bake.
When the rice is done, add the lemon and butter and fluff with a large fork.

Tips & Variations

I highly recommend using low-sodium or salt-free broth (or water). Some brands are so salty that they can ruin the whole dish.
For added protein, use chicken bone broth instead of regular broth. Depending on the brand, each cup of bone broth adds 6 to 9 grams of protein!
When incorporating the lemon and butter into the rice, it is crucial to use a light touch, never pressing down. Use a raking motion and a gentle touch. The goal is fluffy rice with perfectly separated grains.
One of the things I love about this flavored white rice recipe is how versatile it is. Change the broth, herbs, and seasonings to make it your own. My go-to is butter and lemon, but the variations are endless. If we’re having tacos, I add southwest seasonings and swap lime and cilantro for butter and lemon. For an Italian spin, try butter, parmesan, and fresh basil. If you’re going for Asian vibes, soy sauce, lemon, and a touch of sesame oil are delicious. Once you’ve got the technique down pat, you can change the flavors however you want!

How To Store Leftover Rice

Surprisingly, rice does not last as long as most people think. You must cool it down quickly. I spread any leftover rice into a shallow dish and immediately place it in the FREEZER uncovered. This cools it down quickly. I usually do this before I start cleaning the kitchen. Set a timer for 20 minutes, and then transfer it to the refrigerator. Keep it covered and use it within three to four days.
- The bacteria/spores that grow on leftover rice are heat-resistant.
- Unlike other types of bacteria, reheating the rice does not kill them.
- Packing hot leftover rice into a container can take hours for the center to cool down. This leaves the rice in the danger zone of between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, where harmful spores can grow quickly.

Equipment Used In This Recipe

Baking dish: This is the one shown in this post – it’s a perfect size!
Aluminum foil: It works great for getting a good, tight seal.
Small pot: This one is the perfect size for this recipe and so many other things.
Large fork: A large serving fork works best for fluffing and separating the rice.
Serving dish: Optional, but I love pretty serving platters!

If you’ve tried my recipe for flavored white or any other recipe on my site, please let me in the comments below!

Check out our vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb recipes if you have food sensitivities!

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