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 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.
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 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.
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 as well until it starts to brown to give a toasted somewhat nutty flavor as well as changing 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
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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
- 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.
Keywords: orzo rice pilaf, rice pilaf, homemade rice a roni, rice a roni
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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!
★★★★★