Life’s too short to eat bland rice. Use this Seasoned Rice recipe to make the most of this classic grain!
White rice and I go way back. I think roughly 90% of the dinners I had, from birth to about 17 years old, included rice. It’s the perfect side dish for juicy meats because the rice grains are flavored by the meat drippings. Rice is an excellent bed for gravies, buttery sauces, sautéed shrimp with lemon-garlic sauce, and about a thousand other dishes. You can even mix it with chopped veggies and make a pilaf or fried rice dish out of it!
One thing rice isn’t great at, however, is standing all by itself on a plate. With nothing to flavor it, rice is pretty bland. Not every dinner is going to give rice a free gravy train to Flavor Town, so it’s about time this grain started driving its own car.
This recipe for seasoned rice is just what it needs to stand alone. The rice is seasoned with plenty of herbs and spices, like thyme, garlic, and onion; and instead of steaming it in water, we’re using chicken broth and butter. By the time you fluff it at the end of the cooking process, this rice will be whatever you need it to be, whether that’s a standalone side, or a bed for a grilled protein. You can still put gravy on it, but you certainly won’t need to!
Is This Seasoned Rice Healthy?
Seasoned rice may not be the most nutrient-packed side you could serve, but it’s also not the least nutritious option. The carbs in the rice provide a source of energy, and the combination of spices and low-sodium chicken broth adds flavor without a serious dousing of salt.
With that said, white rice isn’t known for being as full of vitamins and fiber as brown rice, so you could swap for this second variety if you want extra health benefits. (Or, you can make sure you’re buying enriched rice, which does contain extra nutrition, though not extra fiber.) You might also want to ditch the butter and swap in olive oil instead to avoid saturated fat, and maybe consider serving some lemon wedges on the side for a touch of brightness (and some extra vitamin C!). For a serious nutrition boost, consider adding some veggies or a protein source like lentils or beans to give your seasoned rice more of a complete nutritional profile.
How To Make Sure Your Rice Doesn’t Turn Into Mush
No matter what main course you serve seasoned rice with, a mushy texture is never tasty. “Mushiness” in rice is a common mistake in the kitchen, but there are plenty of techniques you can use to avoid this soggy situation with your rice.
Since mushy rice is typically a result of too much moisture, you have to be super scientific about your broth-to-rice ratios. The standard rate is one cup of long-grain rice for every two cups of water, but you may need to dial back the water content if you decide to add any chopped veggies with high water content.
It’s also worth it to rinse your rice well before cooking. Rinsing removes all that surface starch from your rice grains, which helps them separate naturally and prevents the creation of an extra sticky texture. It also helps remove any impurities. If you’re using enriched white rice, the package may instruct you not to rinse the rice. Rinsing enriched rice will remove the extra nutrients. It’s up to you whether to rinse enriched rice or not!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Let leftover rice cool before transferring it to an airtight container. You can store your seasoned rice in the fridge for as long as 3-4 days. You could also freeze your seasoned rice in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
The great thing about seasoned rice is that it’s good by itself! It might not be a complete meal nutrition-wise, but it sure does pull its weight in flavor.
To make a complete meal out of seasoned rice, pair it with some protein and veggies. If you read any of my posts on FFF, you’ll know my first suggestion would be to fry an egg and put it on top of this rice. But there are other options, too. Try these Grilled Chicken Tenders, some succulent Poached Salmon, or this savory Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin Steak. Any of these proteins will go great with Oven-Roasted Vegetables or Grilled Broccoli.
For the adventurous palate, consider trying fun international dishes to pair with your rice, like Mexican Shakshuka, Indian Chicken Kebabs, and Paleo Mediterranean Tuna Salad With Olives.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, which helps prevent clumping.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the rinsed rice, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and kosher salt.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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