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Home » Side Dish Recipes

Orzo Rice Pilaf

Published: Apr 20, 2022 by Mindee · This post contains affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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.

A forkful of orzo rice pilaf sprinkled with fresh parsley.
Homemade rice pilaf with orzo sprinkled with fresh parsley!
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Couple Things You'll Need
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Related Recipes
  • Orzo Rice Pilaf Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • This easy recipe with amazing buttery, garlic flavor with just 6 ingredients and 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.
Ingredients the make orzo rice pilaf.
Just a handful of ingredients for this rice pilaf 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.
Minced onion, garlic, rice and orzo added to sizzling hot butter in a pan.
Brown rice and orzo to start this delicious side dish!
  • 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 a golden brown.
  • You will need to continually stir 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 along side your favorite main dish and fresh vegetables!
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Add the chicken broth and cook until all the cooking liquid is absorbed.
Serve this easy rice pilaf with your favorite meal!

Recipe FAQs

What's the difference between a pilaf and regular cooked rice?

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 as well until it starts to brown to give a toasted somewhat nutty flavor as well as changing the texture slightly.

Can I add peas or other vegetables?

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.

What can I serve this with?

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.

Related Recipes

  • Layered Green Salad
  • Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon
  • Roasted Loaded Potatoes
  • Crispy Fried Zucchini
  • Smokey Roasted Cauliflower

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Orzo Rice Pilaf Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Mindee
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

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.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 Tbs . Butter
  • ¼ cup finely (chopped Onion)
  • 2 cloves of minced Garlic
  • ½ cup White Rice
  • ½ cup Orzo Pasta
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth

Instructions

  1. Bring the butter to a sizzle over medium high heat.
  2. Add the minced onions and garlic.
  3. Add the rice and orzo.
  4. Stir well to coat all the ingredients well with butter.
  5. While continuing to stir, cook until a little more than half of the rice/orzo turns golden brown.
  6. Carefully add the chicken broth.
  7. Turn the heat down to medium low and simmer until all the broth is absorbed.
  8. 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. 

Keywords: orzo rice pilaf, rice pilaf, homemade rice a roni, rice a roni

Did you make this recipe?

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Thanks for stopping by! Before you go, be sure to check out a few of my most popular recipes!

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Any nutritional analysis on this Site is based on an estimate, calculated by Nurtifox plugin (or other third-party source) from the individual ingredients in each recipe. Variations may occur for various reasons, including product availability and food preparation. We make no representation or warranty of the accuracy of this information.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosemary

    March 24, 2021 at 10:24 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Mindee

      March 24, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      About 25 minutes as stated on the recipe card next to "cook time".

      Reply
  2. Becky

    May 19, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    I'm excited to try this today!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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