Fluffy Rice Pilaf
Elevate your side dish game with this Fluffy Rice Pilaf, a simple yet flavorful recipe that guarantees perfectly tender and aromatic rice every time. This classic dish features long-grain white rice toasted in buttery sautéed onions and garlic, then simmered in savory chicken or vegetable broth for rich, hearty flavor. The secret to its irresistibly light texture lies in rinsing the rice to remove excess starch and allowing it to steam to perfection under a tight-fitting lid. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile pilaf pairs beautifully with a variety of mains, from roasted chicken to grilled vegetables. Top it off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an elegant finishing touch, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality side dish that’s easy enough for weeknights yet impressive for entertaining.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium (finely chopped) yellow onion
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons (chopped, optional for garnish) fresh parsley
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps make the rice fluffy.
In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat the grains in the butter. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes slightly golden and fragrant.
Pour in the broth, add the salt and black pepper, and stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with the lid.
Let the rice cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid to check on it during this time.
After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes, still covered, to allow the residual steam to finish cooking the rice.
Remove the lid and use a fork to gently fluff the rice.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm as a side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
551 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.8 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.4 g | 72% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 2916 mg | 127% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 71.5 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.9 g | ||
| Protein | 10.5 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 93 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 411 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
