Easy Lemon Risotto

Easy lemon risotto. Basically sunshine in a bite! This risotto is creamy and delicious, with bright and light lemon flavor. Perfect for spring gatherings and an elevated side dish to summer barbecues! And the best part? Risotto is super easy to make, and everyone will be asking for more.

I’ve gotten so many questions about these blue and white bowls, which are unfortunately not sold anymore where I found them! But here are some similar ones that I love!

It’s no secret that I love risotto. Like loooooove risotto. It’s such an easy and delicious comfort food recipe, and is the perfect side dish idea for pretty much any meal. About six months ago I shared my Parmesan White Wine Risotto recipe, and you guys went crazy over it, and have been asking for more risotto recipes to try. So today I’m sharing my easy lemon risotto recipe!

This fresh and zesty risotto is the perfect spring or summer risotto recipe, but you bet I’ll be making it year round! As a main dish, serve this lemon risotto topped with asparagus, peas, or zucchini! Or if you’re serving it as a side, pair it with a roasted chicken or Lemon and Garlic Baked Salmon.

 

easy lemon risotto

The Best Wines for Easy Lemon Risotto:

You’ll notice that this recipe calls for a dry white wine. A few examples of dry whites are Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino and Chardonnay.

There’s no need to splurge on a really expensive bottle of wine for this recipe, but I always recommend buying a bottle that you’ll enjoy drinking, because you will definitely taste a hint of the wine flavor in the risotto. Plus you’ll have more to enjoy on the side! (Please note: the wine completely cooks out, so this a kid friendly recipe!)

I usually opt for a bottle in the $10-$15 range, like this Waterbrook Chardonnay, and pour two glasses. One for the risotto, one for me!

 
risotto with wine
 

What is Arborio Rice?

Arborio rice is an Italian rice variety that’s naturally high in starch. That’s what gives risotto its signature creamy texture! The key to cooking arborio rice to maximize its creaminess in risotto recipes is low heat, and letting all the liquid absorb before adding more. You can find arborio rice in most grocery stores in the rice section.

best lemon risotto recipe

easy lemon risotto

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Easy Lemon Risotto

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Kirsten Bell
  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 Minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 Servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Easy, flavorful and fresh lemon risotto! The perfect spring and summer side dish!


Ingredients

Scale

1 shallot, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
3/4 cups dry white wine (see note above)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1 lemon, zested
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 green onions, chopped


Instructions

Bring chicken stock to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer. Heat butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, then add shallot and garlic and let cook until translucent. I finally invested in this saucepan, and it makes such a huge difference!

Add the rice to the shallot mixture, tossing to coat. Toast the rice for about 3-5 minutes, then add wine. Simmer over medium-low heat until the wine is almost evaporated.

Add the broth one cup at a time, continuing to stir until all the liquid is almost absorbed before adding more. (See notes below – this step is the secret to risotto!) Once all the broth has been added and cooked into the rice, remove pan from heat and stir in parmesan, salt, pepper, thyme, cream cheese, and lemon juice and lemon zest. Serve sprinkled with green onion!


Notes

Arborio rice is an especially starchy rice, which is why it’s so naturally creamy when cooked! The trick to delicious risotto is to “tease” the starch out of the rice. We do that by cooking low and slow. Keep the heat on medium low heat, and let all the liquid absorb before adding more! The result? Perfection!

Love Risotto? (Me too!!) Check Out My Other Risotto Recipe: 

And If You Love Lemon, How About These Lemon Recipes? 

3 COMMENTS

  1. Morgan Hanson | 10th Apr 20

    I saw that your other Risotto recipe (White Wine and Parmesan Risotto) did not call for cream cheese. I want to make this in two days…think I could leave out the cream cheese or should I make a special trip to the store in these COVID19 times.

    • Kirsten Bell | 11th Apr 20

      Hi Morgan! The cream cheese helps add a creaminess to the risotto to balance the lemon, but definitely isn’t worth a trip to the store just for that in these circumstances! I’d say make it without, it will still be delicious! And thank you for making my recipe!

  2. Amber Frakes Radka | 27th Sep 20

    Ooooohh my goodness. I made this for a family dinner and everyone, I mean EVERYONE asked for the recipe! It is so tasty and easy to make! 10/10 recommend!






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