Rice pilaf is SO easy to make! Pasta is toasted in butter with rice and then cooked in broth until tender. Serve with chicken or fish for an easy side dish.

Let’s talk pilaf. Since I was a kid I thought rice pilaf sounded disgusting. Now keep in mind I never actually tasted it, it only sounded gross. Pilaf. I mean come on can you blame me?!

But as soon as I found out that you fry the noodles in butter I was sold! Why didn’t they tell me this when I was a kid?

You can use vermicelli noodles and break those up into tiny pieces if you want, which I believe that is “traditional” but if you don’t want the hassle, try using orzo! It was really fun to make, well as much fun as making rice can be, but the frying in butter really makes the rice look fancy! Give it a try! You’ll be hooked!

To Make This Simple Rice Pilaf You Will Need:

• butter
• chicken broth
• orzo
• long grain rice
• water

Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium to medium high heat until it melts and gets hot and bubbly.

Toss in the Orzo…

When the orzo turns a little golden throw in the rice and stir to combine.

Pour in the broth and water. Give it a good stir and bring to boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a heavy lid. If your lid isn’t heavy use a plate that fits the pot. Cook for 15 minutes at a simmer.

*Test the plate out before you begin to make sure!

After the 15 minutes are up, remove from the heat and let it sit for 10 more minutes.

And when you pull the lid or plate off… VIOLA!! Beauteous!!

Fluff with a fork… and take a bite… or two… or three, then season with salt and pepper if it needs it!… And now pat yourself on the back!

This is a great side to chicken or fish!

Enjoy! And if you give this Rice Pilaf recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Print

Yield: 4 cups

Simple Rice Pilaf

Toasted orzo is cooked with rice for a delicious side dish.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 a stick of unsalted butter
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1-3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cups water
• a pinch of kosher salt, more or less to taste
• a pinch of freshly ground black pepper, more or less to taste

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a medium sauce pan until hot and bubbly.
2. Add the orzo pasta and “fry” until lightly golden in color.
3. Add the cup of rice, stir.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and water, stir and bring back to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a heavy lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Remove from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
7. Fluff with fork and serve!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 248Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 70mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.