Description
You will make a flavorful, fluffy rice pilaf every time with this simple recipe featuring toasted orzo, aromatic vegetables, and savory chicken broth. This easy side dish is perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (Basmati recommended)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat.
- Add the orzo pasta to the pan. Toast the orzo, stirring frequently, until it turns light golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch it closely so it does not burn.
- Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the rice to the pan. Stir and cook for 2 minutes, coating the grains in the fat. This step helps create fluffy rice.
- Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this resting period.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For an even richer flavor, toast your rice grains with the orzo for an extra minute before adding the liquid.
- This savory rice accompaniment pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or grilled beef.
- If you do not have chicken broth, use water and add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for depth.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup cooked
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 5