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Easy Homemade Fluffy Rice Pilaf with Orzo and Herbs

A close-up of fluffy rice pilaf served on a white plate, garnished with fresh parsley and crispy fried onions.
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Follow this simple, foolproof recipe to make incredibly fluffy and flavorful rice pilaf every time. This classic side dish combines long-grain rice, toasted orzo, aromatic vegetables, and chicken broth for a savory accompaniment perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (like Basmati), rinsed
  • 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken 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 medium saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Add the orzo pasta to the skillet. Stir constantly and toast the orzo for 2 to 3 minutes until it turns light golden brown. This step adds depth of flavor.
  5. Add the rinsed rice, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together once.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  7. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the skillet tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not remove the lid during this resting period.
  9. Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and stir in the fresh parsley. Serve warm as a savory rice accompaniment.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which helps achieve a fluffy texture.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the chicken broth with dry white wine and let it cook off before adding the rest of the broth.
  • This recipe pairs perfectly with chicken, beef, or roasted vegetables.
  • To make this a one pot rice side, you can stir in cooked shredded chicken during the final fluffing step.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/easy-rice-pilaf-fluffy-recipe-2/