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Easy Homemade Fluffy Rice Pilaf with Orzo

A serving of fluffy rice pilaf mixed with toasted vermicelli and topped with fresh chopped parsley on a white plate.
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Make weeknight dinners better with this quick and easy homemade rice pilaf. This flavorful side dish uses long-grain rice, orzo, and chicken broth for perfectly fluffy grains every time. It is a simple recipe that pairs well with chicken, beef, or vegetables.

Ingredients

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  • 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 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo pasta and cook, stirring often, until it turns light golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add the rice to the skillet and stir constantly for 2 minutes to toast the grains lightly.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. 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.
  9. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in the fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half the chicken broth with water and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
  • To make this a one pot rice side, you can stir in 1 cup of steamed vegetables like peas or carrots after fluffing.
  • Rinsing the rice before use is not necessary for this pilaf method, as toasting the grains is key to the texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mistyplate.com/easy-homemade-fluffy-rice-pilaf/