Make this lemon rice in the Instant Pot for a tasty side dish. The creamy buttered rice paired with the sour notes from the lemon juice, all on the perfect rice base cooked in chicken broth. Add a touch of kosher salt, and an easy side dish is born!
Using the Instant Pot makes rice side dishes so simple and a quick option for getting food to the dinner table. We also love to make cilantro lime brown rice in the Instant Pot. There is something about the juice of citrus fruits that just works.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Side Dish
- Goes great with Greek Yogurt-Marinated Chicken
- Gluten Free and Low FODMAP Side Dish Recipe
Featured Ingredients
- Long-Grain Rice - Keep it simple with the perfect pantry staple.
- Chicken Broth - Use a broth without onions or garlic listed on the ingredient label to keep this as a low FODMAP option.
- Fresh Lemon Juice - Fresh is best. There is no substitute for a freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you want even more lemon flavor, use lemon zest, too!
- Butter - I love salted butter.
- Kosher Salt - My favorite type of salt to use in cooking.
See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions. Selected ingredients are based on guidance on current serving sizes measured by the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App at the time of publishing. As always, follow your gut and modify as needed.
Step-By-Step Instructions
In the Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, add the chicken broth and the plain rice to the inner pot.
Add the kosher salt and give it a good stir.
If your Instant Pot does has a RICE Button-Press the rice setting button on the Instant Pot. This will only work with plain white rice. It will not work with brown rice. Brown rice needs a longer cooking time, and the Instant Pot doesn’t know what type of rice you have, so it defaults to white rice.
Once the rice beeps, release the pressure and open the cover.
If your Instant Pot does NOT have a rice button - Cook the rice on high pressure for three minutes, then for ten minutes on natural release. After ten minutes, do a quick release and open the cover.
Add the chopped-up butter and the lemon juice. Stir the cooked rice until the butter has melted. Serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks
Do not add the chicken broth to the rice until right before the cooking time. Otherwise, the rice will absorb the liquid, and it won’t turn out.
Use leftover rice for fried rice with ham.
Ingredient Swaps
- Basmati Rice - This would be a delicious option to use in place of the long-grain white rice.
- Olive Oil - In place of the butter, use high-quality olive oil. It will add another layer of flavor.
- Chicken Broth - If you do not have chicken broth, plain water will work.
Variations
Dairy Free Lemon Rice: Swap out the butter for a dairy-free spread.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Any leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Reheating: Place the leftover rice on a microwave-safe plate. In the center of the rice, add an ice cube and cover. When the ice cube melts it will release steam and help add moisture back into the leftover rice.
Low FODMAP Notes
Low FODMAP information is based on the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App testing results. I highly recommend using these apps for guidance on ingredients and serving sizes and working with a Low FODMAP dietician. As always, modify and adjust based on your own tolerance and individual needs on a modified low FODMAP diet.
- Cooked White Rice - Safe at 1 cup or 190 grams per meal.
- Chicken Broth - Use a low FODMAP version without garlic or onion listed in the ingredients.
- Fresh Lemon Juice - Safe at 1 tablespoon or 21 grams per meal.
- Butter - Safe at 1 tablespoon or 19 grams per meal.
For additional information on a low FODMAP diet, please visit Monash University or FODMAP Friendly. Both have websites and apps for additional guidance and testing results.
FAQs
Before the Instant Pots arrived in my kitchen I owned rice cookers to make perfect rice every time. I found that the Instant Pot could make more rice and do more than my rice cooker. My rice cooker got demoted to the basement and my Instant Pot got promoted. Overall there are more instant pot recipes than rice cooker recipes.
If your lemon rice tastes bitter, add some more butter. Fats can help smooth out any bitter notes in a dish.
Meal Planning
This rice side dish is delicious with parmesan lemon chicken or in a Greek chicken rice bowl. It adds a great starchy side to go with the lean chicken main course. For a delicious vegetable option, add sweet and salty green beans or oven-roasted vegetables.
Additional Rice Recipes
- Crock Pot Dairy Free Rice Pudding - A sweet rice pudding that is creamy and perfect for dessert.
- Instant Pot Wild Rice Blend: This blend works great as a side dish or in wild rice and ham casserole.
- Cilantro Lime Rice in Instant Pot - A great side dish for any Mexican main dish.
- Instant Pot Rice Pilaf - Love this perfect side dish for oven baked cod. It is so simple and yet delicious.
Recipe
Instant Pot Lemon Rice
Equipment
- 6-Quart Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth low FODMAP
- 3 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons butter salted
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a 6-quart Instant Pot pressure cooker liner, add the chicken broth, rice, and salt. Stir until combined.
- Make sure the sealing ring is in place inside the cover. Place the cover on and set it to sealing if needed. Then press the rice button if using plain white rice. Do a quick release when done cooking.
- If the Instant Pot does not have a rice button, manually set the pressure to high. Set the timer for 3 minutes and let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. Then, release any remaining pressure, remove the cover, and stir.
- Take the cover off and add the butter. It will melt faster if you add the butter to the rice in tablespoon-sized pieces.
- Next, add the lemon juice and gently stir until it is nice and fluffy. Add fresh parsley as a garnish if interested.
Leave a Reply