Rice Pilaf

Rice gets a flavor upgrade. How? By simmering white rice in a chicken broth and spicing it up with Creole seasoning. Fluffy, fragrant, and tasty with a kiss of spice!

4-5 cups

Course Sides

Cuisine Fusion

Diet Gluten Free

Cook Time 55

Total Time 55

Servings

Calories 310kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
1½ cups (278g) uncooked long-grain white rice
1 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 teaspoons (10g) minced garlic
1 teaspoon (1g) minced thyme
1 teaspoon (5g) salt
½ teaspoon (1g) freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (4g) Creole seasoning
1 bay leaf
3 cups (750ml) chicken broth
1-2 green onions, chopped
2 optional summer squash, diced (I used zucchini and yellow squash)
1 tablespoon (3g) fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add rice and brown, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes.
When rice has toasted, add onion, celery, garlic, and thyme, and cook for a minute until onion becomes soft and translucent—season with salt, pepper, Creole seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir well and cook until fragrant for about 30 seconds.
Pour the chicken broth into the saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring once or twice. Reduce heat to low, cover saucepan, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 15-18 minutes.
Remove pan from heat, stir in the green onions and zucchini (if using), and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff rice with a fork or serving spoon.
Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

I use long-grain rice for this rice pilaf recipe - the longer the grain, the fluffier the rice is.
Butter adds flavor, but you can replace it with cooking oil.
For a vegetarian version, use water or vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Please leave the pan covered during the entire cooking process. Opening the lid while simmering allows heat and moisture to escape, preventing proper rice cooking.
You can add mix vegetables or raisins in the pilaf as you wish. (See Recipe Variations)
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition