If you’re looking for an easy side dish that has a little more flavor than plain white rice, this homemade rice pilaf is a great addition to your dinner rotation. It’s simple, flavorful, and versatile enough to serve alongside chicken, pork chops, seafood, beef, or vegetables.
Rice is one of those side dishes I make all the time, but sometimes you want to switch things up. Instead of cooking rice in plain water and calling it a day, rice pilaf adds extra flavor by toasting the rice and cooking it in seasoned broth.
The result is fluffy, flavorful rice that can turn a simple dinner into a complete homemade meal.
What Is Rice Pilaf?
Rice pilaf isn’t a specific type of rice. It refers to the method used to prepare the rice. Instead of immediately boiling the rice in water, the rice is first sautéed or toasted in butter or oil. It’s then cooked in a flavorful liquid such as chicken or vegetable broth.
You can also add onions, garlic, herbs, vegetables, and different seasonings to customize the flavor. It’s a simple technique, but it makes a big difference.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Rice Pilaf
This is the kind of side dish that’s worth keeping in your recipe rotation because you can serve it with so many different meals. You’ll love this rice pilaf because it’s:
- Easy to make
- Flavorful without being complicated
- Made with simple ingredients
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for weeknight or Sunday dinners
- A versatile side for chicken, pork, beef, and seafood
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 8 tbsp butter (salt)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp chicken bouillon or chicken base
- 1/2 cup diced green, yellow, or red bell peppers (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced celery (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced carrots (optional)
- 1/2 cup mushrooms (optional)
- 1/2 cup sweet peas (frozen) (optional)
Instructions
- Add rice to a colander and rinse for one minute. Set aside.
- In a large pan on medium heat, add olive oil, celery, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, minced garlic, and onions. Sauté for 5.
- Next add rice and chicken bouillon and sauté for 5 minutes. Next add water and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Once the rice has cooked, let it sit for 5 minutes. Add butter and mix well. Top with chopped or dried parsley.
Watch Me Make Rice Pilaf withe Oven Baked Catfish
Want to see how everything comes together? Watch my Oven Baked Cajun Catfish with Rice Pilaf video on the Plus Size in Chicago YouTube channel to follow along as I make this easy homemade dinner from start to finish.
More dinner inspiration: Check out more homemade dinner recipes and easy meal ideas here on Plus Size in Chicago.
If you love easy, flavor-packed dinner recipes, try my sautéed potatoes and spinach or macaroni and cheese for another homemade dinner idea.
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