Easy Rice Pilaf
Easy rice pilaf, a delicious and simple side dish with flavorful rice and orzo. Easy to make and great with any main.
Servings: 4
Calories: 244kcal
Equipment
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
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Dried Parsley
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese 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 minutes
- Stir in parmesan, then fluff with a fork.
- Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Video
Notes
Updated October 2026 based on reader feedback: Switched to low-sodium chicken stock and cut the salt to 1/4 teaspoon (Parmesan adds plenty), so taste at the end and add more if you like. This is the orzo-style rice pilaf, like the boxed kind. I'll be remaking this recipe soon and will fine-tune it from there.
Nutrition
Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 1165mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 10.1mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 0.7mg