Easy Rice Pilaf:
Fluffy, flavorful, and fabulous, this easy rice pilaf recipe makes a great side dish all year long. The perfect side for any protein, and a regular in your dinner rotation.
The rice is perfectly cooked and fluffy, the flavors simple and wonderful. This is the kind of side that tastes amazing but really lets the main shine. It is far better than the boxed version, but just as easy to make.
Pair it with your favorite protein like Smoked Pork Butt and serve with chocolate cupcakes and peanut butter frosting for dessert.
What is the rice pilaf method?
The rice pilaf method is a method for cooking rice that involves using aromatics (garlic and onion), and some oil, and specific steps for cooking the rice to get a fluffy, tasty rice.
Essentially, professional chefs cook rice in different ways to achieve different results. Which is why you can get things like risotto which is rice that is high in starch, and creaminess, that is rich and saucy. But a pilaf is not creamy, it is textured, fluffy rice, with distinctive pieces.
What rice to use?
The pilaf method should be used when cooking with long grain rice.
- Start by first cooking garlic and onion in oil. Garlic and onion are your aromatics. They add flavor.
- Then you add your rice to the pan and stir it so each grain is coated with the oil and is shiny. This is called pearling, and is part of what helps the rice stay separate once it is cooked. This gives you a nice flavor to as you toast the rice. But in this recipe, we do that to the orzo, and just pour the rice in. So easy!
- Add texture: In this recipe we add some orzo in to give a difference in size and texture.
- Fluff with a fork: Once the rice is cooked in the liquid of your choice, you have to uncover it and fluff it with a fork to allow the steam to escape. This is a critical step because if you don’t do this, the steam will continue to cook the rice, and you will end up with mushy, overcooked rice as a result.
For this recipe we add some orzo pasta, which looks like a very large grain of rice, and is toasted to a golden brown to add some color and dimension to this side dish, as well as a fun texture.
How do you make rice pilaf in the oven?
This recipe can be made in the oven, however, I find it is so easy to make stove top, why bother? But if you want to make it in the oven, then what you will do is:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Follow recipe directions through step 4, where you have your rice and aromatics in a pan.
- Then add your liquid and transfer to an oven safe cooking dish. Cover with foil.
- Cook in the oven for about 35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, fluff with a fork, and continue with step 7 in the recipe card.
Serve Rice Pilaf with:
- Lemon Butter salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs
- Skillet Honey Mustard Chicken
- Healthy Lemon Skillet Chicken
- Salmon with Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce (Keto)
- Honey Dijon Chicken Cobb Salad
Or Try this Wild Rice Pilaf for a fun change to rice pilaf.
Easy Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup white long grain rice uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Dried Parsley
- ¼ cup Parmesan Grated
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter *Note, you need a lid for the skillet for later
- Add orzo pasta to butter, and cook and stir orzo until golden brown.
- Once orzo pasta is golden, stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add in the rice, and stir to coat with oil. Add chicken broth, salt, and parsley. Stir well, then increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover skillet with lid, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minute
- Stir in parmesan, then fluff with a fork.
- Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Video
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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Sabrina says
We love this and have it a few times a week! It’s such a great side dish and goes with everything so why not!
Mallory Lanz says
I’ve been looking for a good rice pilaf recipe. Glad to have one in my arsenal!
Jennifer says
Rice pilaf is my favorite!!!
Stacie A Hamilton says
Oh, wow! I’ve never made rice pilaf from scratch because I didn’t know it was so easy. This is now on my holiday cooking list for this Christmas.
Rachael says
It is! I hope you try it.
Jocelyn says
I love how easy it is to make this homemade rice pilaf!!! So fluffy and delicious!
Stephanie says
Where did get the platess? They are so cute!
Betty says
If I needed this recipe to feed 6 -8 people how would I adjust the recipe?
Judy says
I am also interested in adjusting this for 8 people. Was there a reply that I don’t see here?
Rachael says
I am sorry for missing this question. To adjust for 8 people simply double the recipe.
Cindy says
Hi, thanks for this recipe. It looks fantastic! I appreciate you including the oven instructions, and would like to answer your, “but why bother” question. For me, the reason to do it in the oven would be if I already had the oven on anyway and wanted to cook both dishes together for energy efficiency. Also, sometimes I use the oven if it’s a cool day, but not cold enough to run the furnace or build a fire. Baking something can take the chill out of the kitchen. Again, any thanks!
Erin says
I have a question: You say this recipe makes 4 servings. How much is in a serving?
Katherine says
I’ve never been able to make rice on the stove for some reason it always turns out crunchy or liquid never absorb especially rice pilaf. I finally had success with this recipe!!! I’m adding this into my rotation everyone loves it and hank you so much for sharing this recipe. Turns out perfect
Rachael says
I am so glad you like it. It is one of our favorites for sure!
Lorrie says
Can I prepare this in the morning and just heat it up for dinner?
Rachael says
Yes, you definitely can.
Eline schell says
Can I omit the orzo?
Rachael says
Yes you can.
Yvette says
Can you help me figure out how to make this in a 22 quart “Hamilton Beach roaster oven”. Need to make rice pilaf for a staff party & I can’t seem to find a bag big enough. Help please!!
Rachael says
Shoot, I am not sure. I would say just triple the recipe.
mpotter says
I found this recently and have already made it SEVERAL times. It is so simple & delicious. Thank you!
I was curious, though- you mention “pearling” but you don’t indicate that in the recipe. (add rice and broth and spices). So I watched the video. Again, nope.
I do coat the rice and toast/pearl it before adding the broth. I have heard it enhances the flavor (I learned about the technique from a Spanish rice dish we love). In any case, we do love this recipe and it has appeared at many dinners since finding you. Thanks again.
Rachael says
Yes, this is an “easy” method, so while that is the traditional route, you do not HAVE to. I usually just add the rice, give it a quick stir, and then add the broth. I didn’t give my video team clear enough instructions it appears. But it works either way. So glad you enjoyed it.
Dawn says
I have made this rice for company twice, and both people wanted the recipe from me. This is easy to make, and so delicious! This is now our new favorite side dish!
Tony Thomassen says
Made this tonight for the first time.
Made dinner for my daughter, son in law.
They loved it. My daughter had two helpings.
Went great with oven baked chicken thighs
And steamed broccoli.
My two grandchildren cleared their plates
and said it was “yummy.”
Megan says
This recipe is SO good.
Rachael says
Thank you, I am so glad you enjoyed it.