Zesty Lemon Pepper Rice Recipe: Bright, Flavorful Side Dish

An image of the previous baked fried chicken, laid over the Lemon Pepper Rice.

Summary

This lemon pepper rice is bright, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying — the perfect side to serve all week or as a weekend treat. The rice soaks up a lovely lemony aroma and savory seasonings that pair especially well with lemon pepper chicken (BFC). If you enjoy fresh, citrus-forward rice, this recipe is one of my favorites and is likely to become a go-to for family dinners.

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The flavors come together simply and beautifully. A few key seasonings create a balanced profile that is at once buttery, garlicky, and bright with lemon.

  • Kinders lemon butter garlic seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Chef Merito chicken seasoning

These two seasonings combine to create a rich and zesty taste. If you have them on hand, you’ll be amazed at how much they elevate the rice.

Serve with Lemon Pepper BFC:

Lemon Pepper BFC 🍋🍗

❤️ Why You’ll Love Lemon Pepper Rice🍚

This rice strikes the ideal balance of buttery garlic, citrus brightness, and well-rounded seasoning. It’s comforting yet vibrant, and easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. The texture is fluffy and the aroma instantly invites you to the table. If you make it, leave a comment or send a message on Instagram — I’d love to hear your thoughts.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store cooled rice (and the BFC if you’re serving them together) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water to restore moisture.

Ingredients 🧂

Kinders Lemon Butter Garlic Seasoning

Chef Merito’s Chicken Seasoning

🤔 Common Questions

What is lemon pepper rice?

Lemon pepper rice is long-grain rice flavored with lemon juice and zest, garlic, butter or oil, and savory seasonings for a bright, aromatic side dish.

What can I serve with my rice?

This rice pairs exceptionally well with lemon pepper BFC or roasted chicken, but it also complements grilled fish, shrimp, or a fresh vegetable main.

A crispy, golden-brown baked chicken drumstick sits atop a bed of vibrant Lemon Pepper Rice, garnished with herbs, in a white bowl. In the background, more chicken rests on a cooling rack.

Lemon Pepper Rice 🍚

This lemon pepper rice delivers buttery garlic, bright lemon, and savory seasonings in a simple, crowd-pleasing side. The ingredients meld into a fragrant, fluffy rice that’s perfect alongside chicken or seafood.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  

  • 2 cups long grain rice
  • 3 & 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 shallot sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 tbsp Kinders lemon butter garlic seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Chef Merito chicken seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp Chef Merito chicken marinade
  • Salt & cracked black pepper to taste
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

 

  • In a pan, heat the canola oil and butter. Add the minced garlic and sliced shallot, and sauté until translucent.
  • Add the long-grain rice and sauté for a few minutes until the rice smells slightly toasty, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  • Stir in the Kinders lemon butter garlic seasoning, Chef Merito chicken seasoning, garlic powder, cracked black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and chicken marinade. Mix to combine and coat the rice.
  • Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
  • Remove the pan from heat, keep it covered, and let it rest for 5 minutes to finish steaming.
  • Uncover and let the rice sit another 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm. Enjoy!

Keyword family dinner
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