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    Home » Sides

    Lemon Pistachio Rice

    Published: Mar 5, 2020 · Modified: Jun 19, 2020 by Carolyn Hetke · This post may contain affiliate links,

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Lemon Pistachio Rice is so tasty! It makes a perfect side for fish or seafood because the lemon here really pops!

    Platter of rice with lemon twists and pistachios garnished with fresh lemon

    It only takes a couple of twist to raise ordinary, bland rice to company-worth! It is pleasantly surprising how lemony this rice actually tastes. It screams spring to me.

    I served it with this Herb Crusted Salmon and Lemon Cream. The Lemon Cream Sauce makes the whole meal nicely moist. It also pairs well with other vegetables like this Oven Roasted Asparagus or these Air Fryer Green Beans With Garlic and Parsley.

    A plate with Herb crusted salmon beside Lemon Pistachio rice sauced with Lemon Cream

    This is such a nice combination of flavours that all complement each other I bet this will become one of your go to meals! Perfect for family or entertaining.

    Chef's Tips

    • Rinsing the rice before cooking is the key to not having sticky clumps of rice. Don't skip this step. It only takes a couple of minutes.
    • To make this ahead, cook the rice and let it cool spread out on a baking sheet to keep it from clumping. When ready to serve, drizzle with broth and cover tightly with foil. Heat in a 400 degree oven about 10 minutes. Add the last pistachios and lemon zest just before serving.
    • Adding the pistachios after cooking the rice keeps them crunchy.
    Platter of rice with lemon twists and pistachios garnished with fresh lemon

    Lemon Pistachio Rice

    Just enough subtle flavour from the lemon and pistachio to make this intriguing. Not your ordinary rice!
    Author: Carolyn Hetke

    If you tried this, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know it went in the 📝 comments below!

    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Sides
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 35 minutes mins
    Servings: 6 servings

    Ingredients

    • 4 tsps olive oil
    • 2 large shallots minced
    • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice see notes
    • 8 Tbsps pistachios unsalted and chopped (divided 2 Tbsps and 6 Tbsps)
    • 14 oz chicken broth
    • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • zest of 1 lemon strips, finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Rinse rice in a colander with cold water until the water runs clear.
    • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the rice and 2 Tbsps of the pistachios and cook another 2 minutes. Add the broth, lemon juice and salt and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat to low and simmer about 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff the rice, and then stir in the remaining pistachios and lemon zest.

    Notes

    Notes: 
    Long grain rice is the preferred rice here for its texture but any white rice would work here except arborio style reserved for risotto.
    Rinsing the rice before cooking is the key to not having sticky clumps of rice. Don't skip this step. It only takes a couple of minutes.
    Adding the pistachios after cooking the rice keeps them crunchy.
    To Make Ahead: You can cook the rice ahead and cool spread out on a baking sheet to keep it from clumping. When ready to serve, drizzle with broth and cover tightly with foil. Heat in a 400 degree oven about 10 minutes. Add the last pistachios and lemon zest just before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thewineloverski or tag #thewineloverski!

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    Hi! I am Carolyn - the Wine Lover in the Wine Lover's Kitchen! I absolutely love having friends and family around my table with great food and wine to enjoy. If you want great recipes and wine recommendations you have come to the right place!

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