Tired of plain old rice? This easy 6-ingredient stovetop rice pilaf goes with just about anything. No preservatives or artificial coloring like you get in boxed version mixes like rice a roni. Plus, it tastes so much better homemade than from a box.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This easy recipe has an amazing buttery garlic flavor with just 6 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes!
- An easy side dish for main dishes, especially Chicken Recipes!
- This fluffy pilaf is a great way to round out a delicious meal!
Ingredient Notes
- Orzo Pasta - A rice-shaped pasta, so you're going to need to look in the pasta aisle at the store instead of by the rice.
- White Rice - I used long-grain white rice.
- Butter - I used salted butter, but unsalted butter works fine. You can also substitute olive oil for the butter if you prefer.
- Onion- You'll need roughly ½ a large yellow onion.
- Chicken Broth, aka Chicken Stock - I always make mine with a chicken base instead of bouillon cubes or granules.
- Favorite Additions - Sometimes, I like to add toasted pine nuts, sautéed mushrooms, peas, or chopped-up leftover chicken to this orzo rice recipe.
Couple Things You'll Need
Step by Step Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter to sizzling over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
- Add the minced onions and garlic.
- Add the white rice and orzo.
- Stir the contents of the pan so everything is coated with the butter.
- Sauté until a little more than half of the rice/orzo is golden brown.
- You will need to stir continually so it browns without burning.
- Carefully add the chicken broth.
- Turn down the heat to a low medium heat.
- Simmer until all the broth is absorbed.
- Fluff the orzo rice pilaf, toss with fresh herbs if desired, and serve alongside your favorite main dish and fresh vegetables!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe FAQs
Pilaf refers to how the rice is cooked. A regular rice dish is boiled, steamed, or simmered until cooked. When making a pilaf, you sauté' the rice and, in this recipe, the orzo until it starts to brown to give a toasted, somewhat nutty flavor as well as change the texture slightly.
Yes, you can. I would add peas just before all the chicken is absorbed so they will get heated but not mushy. Veggies like carrots or celery should be added along with the onions and garlic.
This side dish really does go with just about anything. Even salads like Chicken Pasta Caesar Salad or Salmon Piccata Salad. We also like to eat it with Chicken in Caramelized Onion Sauce.
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Orzo Rice Pilaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs Butter
- ¼ Cup Onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ Cup White Rice
- ½ Cup Orzo Pasta
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Bring the butter to a sizzle over medium-high heat.
- Add the minced onions and garlic.
- Add the rice and orzo.
- Stir well to coat all the ingredients well with butter.
- While continuing to stir, cook until a little more than half of the rice/orzo turns golden brown.
- Carefully add the chicken broth.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer until all the broth is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, add fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to add parsley, peas, or other vegetables to your rice.
- Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta. You will find it down the pasta aisle and usually not by the rice.
Nutrition
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Rosemary
Ok most rice, pastas, etc recipes give 8, 10, etc minutes to cook!
How long do you cook it for, just bought and ready to cook it?
Mindee
About 25 minutes as stated on the recipe card next to "cook time".
Becky
I'm excited to try this today!