This rice pilaf is so easy and tastes better than something from a box. If you love Rice a Roni, try making this better version from scratch!
I make this easy side dish a lot. We mostly have it with chicken, but goes with just about anything. The buttery, garlic flavor is just so good! And, of course, being a pilaf, browning the rice and orzo gives it a light, toasted nutty flavor. I usually double the recipe when I make it because it tastes just as good reheated the next day, too. For those of you who are unfamiliar with orzo, it is a pasta. You will find it among all the other dried pastas in the store. Orzo adds a unique texture and flavor to this dish. This is definitely is a favorite in my home and is sure to become one in yours, too!
What’s orzo?
Orzo is a rice shaped pasta. While rice is made from, well, rice, orzo is make from wheat.
Difference between pilaf and 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 saute’ 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.
What’s in rice pilaf?
- Rice
- orzo
- butter
- garlic
- onions
- chicken broth
The parsley is totally optional. I don’t usually add it to mine because my little kids are opposed to green stuff in their rice. Also, in the picture you will notice those two little yellowish cubes. Those are minced garlic cubes. Several months back I discovered you can buy minced garlic in little “ice cube” trays in the frozen food section. I love them. You just store the garlic in the freezer and when you need some you just pop a cube out (one cube = one garlic clove).
How to make:
- Start by melting the butter over medium heat in a frying pan. When it starts to sizzle, stir in the rice, the orzo, and the onions.
- Continue stirring until about half of the rice and orzo has browned. Turn the heat to low and add the chicken broth and garlic.
- Cover the pan with a small sheet of tin foil and allow the rice to simmer until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from the heat, fluff you orzo rice pilaf with a fork, top with chopped fresh parsley and serve!
What to serve with rice pilaf:
My favorite recipe to have this rice with is Chicken in Caramelized Onion Sauce. I also serve it with my Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu.
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Orzo Rice Pilaf Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Description
This rice pilaf is so easy and tastes better than something from a box. If you love Rice a Roni, try making this better version from scratch!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs . Butter
- 1/2 Cup White Rice
- 1/2 Cup Orzo Pasta
- 1/4 Cup finely (chopped Onion)
- 2 cloves of minced Garlic
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- In a frying pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. When the butter begins to sizzle, stir in the rice, orzo, and onions. Continue to stir until about half of the rice and orzo have browned. Turn down the heat to low and carefully pour in the chicken broth and garlic. Cover the pan lightly with a sheet of tin foil and simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed. This should take 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, fluff with a fork and serve. Top with chopped parsley if desired.
Keywords: Side dish, rice, pilaf
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.
I’m excited to try this today!
★★★★★