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The Ultimate Fluffy One-Pot Rice Pilaf with Toasted Orzo and Herbs

A white bowl filled with fluffy rice pilaf, garnished generously with fresh chopped parsley.
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This easy homemade rice pilaf recipe uses long-grain rice and toasted orzo cooked with aromatics for a consistently fluffy and flavorful side dish. It is ready quickly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (like Basmati or Jasmine), rinsed
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo pasta to the pot. Toast the orzo, stirring constantly, until it turns golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Add the rinsed rice to the pot. Stir everything together and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the rice grains to lightly toast. This step helps keep the rice fluffy.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this resting time.
  9. Remove the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the long-grain rice removes excess starch, which is key to achieving a fluffy texture.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the broth with dry white wine and let it cook off before adding the rest of the liquid.
  • This simple rice pilaf pairs well with grilled chicken or roasted beef.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/easy-fluffy-rice-pilaf-recipe/