26 Delicious Rice Recipes
Are you looking for exciting rice recipes? Then these 26 fantastically delicious recipes will take you out of the doldrums and bring the excitement back to your life. Super-fast and easy recipes will make preparing dinner for your family a pleasant experience, from savory to sweet.
Incredibly Versatile Rice
Did you know rice is in the grass family? That puts it in the same class as corn, wheat, and other grains.
I remember the first time I found out how many rice varieties there are; I was blown away. Every continent has several types of rice, and, of course, they all have their favorite recipes. Yum! So you know how easy it was to put together a loooong list of my favorites.
FAQs
Honestly, the answer depends on the recipe and your preferences. In the States, they recommend not rinsing rice because they’ve enriched it with vitamins.
However, I like to rinse my rice well and cook it with abundant water. Then, as soon as it’s almost done, I drain it, and the residual water is just the right amount to steam it to perfection.
Long-grain rice is longer and thinner than the other two types of rice. They don’t stick together as easily, making them ideal for pilafs and Southern comfort food rice recipes.
Medium- and short-grain rice grains are plumper, stick together more easily, and have a creamier texture. That makes them a better choice for Asian food and risotto.
Add two tablespoons of liquid to each cup of leftover rice, then heat covered on the stovetop, oven, or microwave. It takes about five or six minutes in the oven or on the stovetop.
Rice, like wheat, comes with a hull. When only the hull is removed, you have whole-grain brown rice loaded with healthy fiber and nutrition.
For white rice, they run it through a machine that polishes the bran and germ off. It’s not quite as nutritious as brown rice, but it cooks faster and has a more neutral flavor.
Savory One-Pot Meal Rice Recipes
1. Caribbean Rice and Beans
It’s a flavor party in your mouth! Caribbean rice and red beans are spiced up with garlic, onions, Creole seasoning, bay leaves, thyme, Scotch bonnet, and coconut milk. I’m not picky about which ones, but taking the time to soak dried beans and make them from scratch is an incredible budget-saver.
2. Jollof Rice
This super-easy and flavorful African classic dish, Jollof rice, can be made in the oven or on the stovetop. Sometimes called jellof rice, this rice recipe is a classic cooked in a tasty tomato-based broth. With every region having its own way of preparing it, there is NO absolute right or wrong way of preparing it.
3. African Rice and Beans
This spicy, flavorful rice and beans combo is spiced up with onions, thyme, smoked paprika, and garlic. The Ghanaian dish Waakye inspires this delectable rice dish. It’s a rustic dish made with rice, beans or black-eyed peas, and kanwa (a natural lake salt used in cooking).
This rice dish goes well with slow-cooker beef brisket or Instant Pot chicken curry. Yum!
4. Chicken and Rice Soup
This soup for the soul boasts bits of chicken, celery, carrots, and rice simmered in a savory chicken broth. Is it chilly out, or does someone in the family have a cold? This perfect comfort food will chase away the chills, whatever the reason. You can also ramp up flavor and cold-fighting factors by increasing the garlic, thyme, and oregano.
5. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Chicken, broccoli, and rice make a soul-satisfying one-pot meal that makes a healthy dinner. And it’s perfect for those crazy weeknights when I’m short on time and long on hunger! I think working at home makes it harder to find time to cook than if I had a schedule and could leave work and come home. Fortunately, I have this terrific recipe. I also save time by using leftover baked chicken.
6. Coconut Jollof Rice
One-pot meals are time-savers, not just because they’re faster to throw together but also because there are fewer pots and pans to wash. And the flavors blend so well together, especially in this recipe that enjoys coconut milk and coconut powder. This version is one of my son’s favorites, and he even likes helping me make it.
Fried Rice Recipes
7. Nigerian Fried Rice
Nigerian fried rice is a flavorful twist on traditional fried rice. I can make a whole meal out of this tasty rice recipe. I grew up eating cow and chicken liver, so I am a fan of offals. But you can replace it with shredded chicken or shrimp if you want.
8. Egg Fried Rice
Have you ever had that craving for good Chinese takeout but didn’t feel like braving the traffic? Here is the solution to that problem that’s actually better than the restaurant’s. Quick, easy, flavor-packed, budget-friendly, and nutritious is always a winning recipe.
This is my go-to recipe when I need to clean the fridge. Shhh! Fried rice is so very customizable that you can basically use whatever you have in the fridge. Leftover baked chicken? Perfect! Grilled steak from yesterday’s BBQ? Wonderful! It’s all good.
9. Caribbean-Style Fried Rice
This quick and easy fried rice is made with coconut rice and flavored with thyme or green seasoning. My family and friends love fried rice, and it’s the perfect way to use leftover rice.
10. Coconut Fried Rice
Coconut anything is on my list of faves because it gives everything a tropical touch. And this recipe is a reflection of that love affair. This is perfect as a meal on its own or a side for baked chicken or a shrimp stir fry.
11. Chicken Fried Rice
Whenever the Chinese takeout craving hits, this is what I make. Craving satisfied for the win! The garlic, ginger, and soy sauce give it an authentic flair that takes me to heaven and back. If I’m feeling especially energetic, I love making crab rangoon to go with it.
12. Pineapple Fried Rice
I know you know how much I love tropical flavors. So when I had some extra pineapple, I couldn’t resist throwing some in my fried rice. Oh, it was so good. And quick-cooking shrimp adds fast protein. Hmm, I might try a little ham in it the next time.
Flavorful Rice Side Dish Recipes
13. Dirty Rice
Don’t let the name or looks fool ya! It is NOT dirty, and it is incredibly delicious. The intense flavor explosion, thanks to Creole seasonings, is incredible. And if you don’t like liver, feel free to replace it with ground pork.
14. Arroz con Gandules
A classic Puerto Rican rice dish with meat, gandules (aka pigeon peas), and some olives, then spiced up with a homemade sofrito, makes a satisfying side dish. It’s always a hit with pernil (slow-roasted and well-seasoned pork). This recipe is an awesome choice for the holidays.
15. Yellow Rice
Meet Indian and South African fusion seasoned with turmeric, ginger, and curry powder for an incredible taste sensation. Curries, seafood, and other meat dishes are happy to have this yummy rice dish as a side.
16. Jamaican Pigeon Peas and Rice
Coconut rice cooked with plump pigeon peas, sweet corn, and traditional Jamaican spices is incredibly drool-worthy. And Jamaican curry shrimp is its best friend. Pigeon peas are so cute and round. Also known as gungo peas or gandules, they’re a staple in African and Caribbean cooking. You can use canned, dried, or fresh; it’s all good.
17. Jamaican Rice and Peas
I know what you’re thinking. Imma, didn’t you just talk about Jamaican rice and peas? Actually, no. That was Jamaican pigeon peas and rice. This one uses red beans (sometimes called peas) and is packed with protein and fiber.
It goes really well with Jamaican curry goat and Jamaican-style chicken for a mouthwatering Caribbean feast without having to spring for a plane ticket.
18. Mexican Rice
Mexican rice can be cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. This super-easy, convenient, and delicious recipe is perfect for any occasion. Besides, homemade tastes so much better than the restaurant version. Serve it with roast pork for a complete meal.
Feel free to use brown rice for an even healthier version. Simply allow an extra 20-30 minutes of cook time. One of my readers also suggested adding another ½ cup of broth for the oven-baked version.
19. Black Beans and Rice
Every Abuelita has her own black beans and rice recipe, and much depends on whether she’s in Puerto Rico, Cuba, or Mexico. Then there’s my way. Cubans have two versions of black beans and rice: one where you cook the beans and rice separately, and one where you cook them together.
If you want a traditional Puerto Rican or Cuban meal, you have to prepare this delicious rice dish with pernil. Tostones are another fabulous side that pairs well with this rice dish.
20. Cajun Rice
Cajun food is a fantastic fusion of West African, French, and Spanish cuisine, making good use of locally available ingredients. I love that it often combines rice with seafood and intense spices. This recipe is a perfect example, especially when served with Cajun salmon.
21. Coconut Rice
Nothing beats rice made with fresh homemade coconut milk and grated coconut. This unique seed is inseparable from African and Caribbean cooking, and most of the recipes are made with fresh hard coconuts. This recipe not only shows you how to make incredible coconut rice, but it also shows you how to crack a coconut and get all the goodness fresh from the shell.
22. Rice Pilaf
Pilaf features rice cooked in a seasoned broth along with other spices and meat or vegetables. The technique is said to have originated in the Middle East, but I think just about every culture has a similar dish. And why not? A dish this good can’t be kept a secret for long.
23. Brown Spinach Rice
This African-style rice spiced up with cayenne pepper, garlic, and paprika is so delicious. And you can easily make it vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. It’s similar to my beloved chuck rice with a lot more spices.
I like to serve it with peri peri chicken. Oh, so good!
24. Mushroom Rice
Mushrooms are delicious. There’s something about combining them with rice that makes both even better. These babies enjoy a dash of smoky heat from Creole seasoning. And this recipe is so easy that it almost cooks itself. Have some chicken baking away in the oven, and you’re good to go.
25. Seasoned Rice
This buttery, herby, and savory side dish is similar to fried rice. The big difference is that the seasonings are cooked with the rice instead of being added after. It’s so fast and easy to make, and you can adjust the seasonings to your own palate. I especially love to serve this with spinach-stuffed chicken breasts.
Deliciously Sweet Rice Recipe
26. Rice Pudding Recipe
Rice pudding is my excuse for making too much rice the night before. I love oatmeal for breakfast, but a good rice pudding recipe hits the spot once in a while. The cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins add to the ultimate comfort food that the whole family can enjoy. And how much easier can it get – milk, sugar, rice, and a few other pantry-staple ingredients.
It’s fried chicken but better!
Excellent! I’ve cooked this several times and my husband loves it.
Thud is so delicious! My husband is the primary cook so when I made this he was surprised at how good it was. We’ve had it several times. I have cut down on the Cheyanne pepper though.
Thank you!!!