Easy Rice Pilaf (3 Ingredients Only)
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This quick and convenient rice pilaf recipe is a culinary gem, requiring only three basic ingredients and a mere 20 minutes of your time. Its simplicity is its strength, making it a go-to choice for busy days or when you need a reliable side dish that delivers on both taste and convenience.
Rice is one of those fantastic ingredients that can turn a small meal into something really filling. If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to use it. That’s where rice pilaf comes in! It’s basically a fancy term for a delicious way of cooking rice that originally came from South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Instead of just boiling it in water, you cook it in chicken broth or stock, which gives it a fantastic flavor boost.
Then, you can get creative! Add some meat, throw in your favorite spices, or mix in some tasty veggies. The result? A meal that’s not only satisfying but also brings a bit of global flair to your table. So, next time you’re looking to jazz up your rice, give rice pilaf a try! It’s a culinary adventure that’s totally worth it.
When I was shopping for my steak kabobs post, I tossed around an easy rice pilaf idea in my head. I instantly thought of vegetable soup mix and how flavorful it is. I wanted an easy rice pilaf recipe that didn’t have you going to the pantry for fifty thousand different herbs so decided this was definitely worth a try.
This simple but deliciously rice pilaf recipe involves just three ingredients: long grain rice, the aforementioned vegetable soup mix, and chicken bouillon cubes. The end result? Oh my goodness, we love it and I was right about the flavor. My only complaint from the kids was that I didn’t make enough, so next time I’ll be doubling this recipe so we can have some for later.
Rice pilaf is a very versatile side dish recipe and you can serve it alongside any main course, like Steak Kabobs in the Oven or roast chicken.
Ingredients Needed To Make Rice Pilaf
- Dry rice (we’re using )
- A packet of vegetable soup mix
- A few chicken bouillon cubes
You can use chicken broth in place of the cubes if you like but I prefer bouillon cubes for budget reasons.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Place all of the ingredients (plus water) in a small saucepot.
Bring this to a boil over , stirring every now and then. Then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.
Stir in some fresh or dried parsley if you would like or you can skip this step entirely if you’d rather.
Fluff it up a bit and enjoy!
It tastes delicious served with green beans and roast chicken!
How To Store Rice Pilaf
Store cooled rice pilaf leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat leftovers in the microwave.
Commonly Asked Questions
What types of rice can be used in this side dish recipe?
You have a variety of options to choose from: white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, wild rice, or a wild rice blend.
How can you make this rice pilaf vegetarian?
To keep it vegetarian, substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Can I add vegetables to the rice pilaf?
Yes, you can enhance it with vegetables like caramelized onion (cooked with minced garlic), peas, diced carrot, chopped pepper, chopped celery, or sautéed mushrooms. Be sure to cook these separately in butter or olive oil on the stovetop before adding them to the rice pilaf. Alternatively, cook them in the same saucepot before adding the rice and broth.
Are there any herbs or spices that can be added for flavor?
Certainly! You can add a pinch of saffron, parsley, paprika, ground turmeric, cayenne pepper, or ground coriander.
What are some toppings to enhance the rice pilaf?
You can elevate the dish by adding dried fruit or nuts. Consider using raisins or chopped dried apricots for the fruit, and walnuts, pine nuts, or sliced almonds for the nuts. If there’s a nut allergy, sunflower seeds or pepitas can be a suitable substitute.
Are there any garnishes that can be added to the finished dish?
Yes, you can sprinkle some green onions or fresh parsley on top for an extra burst of flavor.
You may also enjoy these sensational rice dishes:
- Cheesy Chicken And Rice (Crock Pot Version)
- Chicken With Fried Rice
- Hot Buttered Sweet Rice
- Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
- Chicken Teriyaki with Brown Rice
- Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken & Rice
Ingredients
- 1 packet vegetable soup mix I used Knorr 1 ounce pkg
- 3-4 chicken bouillon cubes plus 3 cups of water*
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice not instant
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepot and stir.1 packet vegetable soup mix, 3-4 chicken bouillon cubes plus 3 cups of water*, 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- Bring just to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until all of the water is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
*3 cups of chicken broth may be substituted for the chicken bouillon cubes and water
Nutrition
So far, I have loved all your recipes (esp cheesecake bars, undoubtedly the best cheesecake I’ve eaten). This looks easy & delish; just what my family would enjoy!
I hope you get the chance to try it soon Beth!!
Christy,
I just made this rice for dinner and was a hit!!! I will be making this again and it was so easy!!! Thank you so much for all of your amazing recipes!!!
Robin
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed it Robin!!
Now I know whats for dinner tonight. Thanks for the recipe.
I hope you enjoy Ann!!! Have some for me!!
I can’t wait to make this….
Christy,
You are an amazing person. Thank you for always bringing a little flavor to my kitchen table.I have a question.
Instead of using the boullion cubes could you just cook it in Chicken broth, omitting the water?
I have a hard time geting the cubes to dissolve and not ruin my recipes.
Thank you so much for all you do and for just being you!!!
Hey Cathy! you are so sweet, thank YOU for being YOU!!! I actually talk about using chicken broth instead of the cubes in the post and included instructions for doing so in the recipe at the bottom as well and the way you asked if you could do it is the exact way I suggested 🙂 See how amazing you are?
Gratefully,
Christy
This looks so good! I had couscous for the first time at Christmas and this picture reminds me of that. Would I fix couscous the same way as I would this rice? I look forward to getting your blog every day! Thank you so much!
I have all 3 things! I’m fixing this now!
I hope you enjoy Lisa!!