This Lemon Rice Recipe with Tuna and Spinach is one of my easiest and healthiest dinners ever!
You know I love man food. Meat, gravy, cheese, and bacon are some of my favorite things. Also wine and chocolate. And coffee. Ooh or chocolate and coffee combined in pretty much any way…
Wait, what was I talking about? Oh right. This healthy lemon rice recipe. Even though it is lacking in the comfort food department, it’s really delicious, easy, and good for you!
I had to make this a couple times to get it just right before sharing it. The first time I made it with crab instead of tuna and not quite enough liquid. Don’t get me wrong. It was still good enough to eat, but I knew it could be better. This tuna version is SO GOOD and nearly fat free. I did have to keep this photo of the crab version though because I was so excited to catch that lemon juice drop.
You could easily change up this lemon rice recipe to make it your own. You could use canned chicken or shredded leftover cooked chicken instead of the tuna; peas instead of spinach; or white rice instead of brown. It would be great with shrimp too! Lots of options here. It’s written to serve two, but you can very easily double or triple to make enough for your family. I hope you enjoy this healthy dinner as much as we did!
Check out this how-to recipe video!
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup brown rice See notes to substitute white rice.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- freshly ground black pepper
- 12 ounces can of solid white tuna drained
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Ingredients
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Rate this recipe!
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- Add chicken broth, rice, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper to taste to a medium saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 35 minutes.
- Remove lid, and stir in tuna, lemon juice, spinach leaves, and salt. Replace cover, and continue cooking 5 minutes longer before serving.
You can easily make this recipe with white rice. Just reduce the cooking in step one to 15 minutes.
 Here are some other lemony dinners you’ll love!
Cindy says
I was shocked how tasty this was, with such simple ingredients! I soaked the brown rice for 30 min before cooking (as someone suggested), used low-sodium chicken broth, added 1/8 c. sautéed chopped onion, used only one 5 oz can albacore tuna (rinsed & drained), topped with chow mein noodles. Lovely heart-healthy meal!
Maggie says
I made this and we loved it but I significantly reduced the tuna. The recipe calls for a 12oz can, but all the cans I get are 5 oz. Was this an error? Should I be putting way more tuna in there?
Sunshine says
Garage Disposal night at my house means putting together whatever I can without grocery shopping. Most of the time, the results are decent but this is a meal I’d make on purpose. It has great flavor and is quite satisfying. I used lime rather than lemon because I had one sad looking lime in the fridge. I might use broccoli or cauliflower rice next time!
Rachael says
I’m pescatarian would it still taste good with vegetable broth?
Vianka williams says
Thank you for this recipe!
I’m diabetic and with the proper amount, I was able to enjoyed it !
It was delish !
father says
thanks for this website #dog
Kimberly says
Super delicious. Thank you very much for this recipe! I added sautéed onions and a little bit of butter (I know, unhealthy) and it was a huge hit!
Daniela says
Absolutely delicious! Cheap, easy to make, and healthy. Even my kids enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing this!
robk says
nice, I had the rice and lemon and tuna the garlic, and onion powder cost 8.99 each the Kosher salt was5:49 with the Canadian dollor at .70 cent u.s. 6.49 black pepper. all this to eat heathy. think I might go back to rotten ronald
Andi Gleeson says
Hi! Sorry if the cost seemed high. Most of us have salt and pepper in our kitchens already, so I don’t usually think of those as expenses. Spices can be expensive up front, but these kinds of everyday seasonings can be used in almost everything. They only cost a few cents per recipe once you have them in your cabinet. I hope you liked the recipe!
breezy says
I just finished cooking this and my rice is still pretty hard any ideas on how to save it? I doubled the recipe perhaps I need to cook it longer? But I put the tuna and spinach in already
Andi Gleeson says
Hi, Breezy! I replied to your email, but I’ll answer here just in case you see this first. I think you just need to cook it a little longer. Sometimes brown rice needs longer than 35 minutes. It’s OK that you already added the tuna and spinach. The spinach might just not be as bright green as pictured. Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Isabelle Prescott says
I found that if you soak brown rice in the water for about half an hour before you cook it, it turns out great. Saw that suggestion somewhere on the internet and it really works.
Cate | Chez CateyLou says
Did I miss your new site design?! I love it! Your picture is so gorgeous! This dinner looks amazing, and I’m glad you kept that crab picture in there – that is a great shot!!
Andi says
Thank you, Cate!! I really appreciate all your kind comments :)
Liz says
I love this recipe. Thank you.
Andi says
Thanks so much, Liz!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
That lemon drop photo is fantastic! I would keep it too ;)
Andi says
Thanks, Meg! I never catch stuff like that, especially because I’m too lazy to set up a tripod. Leaning, reaching, squeezing, and aiming all at once don’t usually make for good action shots ;)
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
I love tuna and am always looking for new ways to use it, and this sounds so fresh and delicious with the lemon and spinach! And Andi, I LOVE your site’s new look! It’ s beautiful, as is that lovely picture of you!!! Ok, I gotta check out that designer you mentioned now. I’m in need of some updating myself. :)
Andi says
Thank you so much, Ashlyn! I think you will like this dish if you love tuna too. I ended up doing my design myself because I can stumble through CSS, but I have zero artistic ability for drawing logos! Definitely check out Andra for logo design. (The link is in the footer.) She is great to work with and very talented!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
We love tuna and will be trying this very soon, Andi! I’m absolutely loving your new look! Beautiful blog for beautiful recipes & pictures!
Andi says
Thank you so much, Jen! xo
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Really, this looks phenomenally good!
Andi says
Thanks, Dorothy!!
Beth says
Mmm, I’d like this side! I am loving your sites new look too!
Andi says
Thanks so much, Beth! We ate this on its own for dinner :)
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Ooo this is my kinda recipe! Sounds so good (and filling). In fact, I’m going to make this tonight after the gym! Love your “lemon drop” shot!
Andi says
Thanks, Patricia! I hope you liked it!