This fluffy, buttery Rice Pilaf, infused with incredible flavor from sauteing in butter and cooking in seasoned chicken broth, with vermicelli (or orzo), creates a classic side dish for a holiday meal or weeknight dinner.
Ever since I published my Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe, I have received numerous recipe requests for the rice photographed with the chicken. (See photo below.)
It is this Rice Pilaf that is photographed. Today, I am sharing my recipe for this classic rice dish.
What Is Rice Pilaf?
Typically, rice pilaf is a very flavorful rice mixture that is made with long-grain rice, and either vermicelli or orzo pasta, sauteed in oil or butter and cooked in seasoned chicken broth.
The vermicelli is an extra-thin, quick cooking Italian pasta that can be used like spaghetti, only it is much thinner.
In Italy, the noodles are slightly thicker than spaghetti, but in the US, vermicelli is thinner than spaghetti.
In Mexico, they often refer to vermicelli as fideo, and it is often used in soups.
Some recipes call for orzo pasta, a rice-shaped Italian pasta, that is often used in rice pilaf as well.
After reading up on the history of Rice Pilaf, I learned that the variation that I make is an Armenian Rice Pilaf. This one sautees vermicelli and rice in butter first.
It seems that every country has their own version of rice pilaf!
This version is the one I’ve eaten all my life and have loved since I was a kid, so I’m sharing this variation of Rice Pilaf.
Why is rice pilaf so much more flavorful than regular rice?
It is because of the sauteeing of the rice, vermicelli, or orzo, along with onions and garlic in butter and then cooking the mixture in seasoned chicken broth. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Yes, it takes a little more effort than regular rice but it is oh so worth it!
How to Make Rice Pilaf*
- In a saucepan over medium heat add butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and paprika and simmer.
- In a large skillet saute some chopped onion in butter until it is soft and translucent.
- Add vermicelli and cook for about 4 or 5 minutes.
- Add rice and cook for about 5 minutes or until it looks bright white.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Pour broth into the skillet with rice, cover and cook until rice is cooked about 20 minutes.
*See Printable recipe below for all ingredient amounts and other important details.
Tips for the Perfect Rice Pilaf
- Butter. Yes, this rice can cook up deliciously using oil instead of butter. But if you really want to ramp up the flavor of this rice, I recommend sauteeing the onions, garlic, vermicelli (or orzo) and rice in butter.
- Flavored Broth. You could certainly cook this rice in water, but what differentiates the rice pilaf from regular rice is the flavored broth. I use chicken broth with butter and seasonings. However, you could also use beef broth or vegetable broth if you like. Don’t forget the butter. See Tip #1.
- Add Seasonings. Include sauteed onions, garlic, plenty of salt and pepper, and paprika. You could add other seasonings and herbs such as basil or oregano, or spice it up with a little cayenne. It is flexible enough so that you can customize it to your taste. (See Rice Pilaf Variations below.)
- Don’t Forget to Fluff. Say What??? Yes. It is not enough to cook the rice. You have to be patient and remove it from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork, then cover it with a towel, and then the lid and wait, but only for about 5 minutes. Why go through this extra step? The towel absorbs the excess moisture and allows the rice to stay fluffy.
Variations of Rice Pilaf
This recipe is for the classic rice pilaf. However, you can certainly add your flair to this dish by adding additional ingredients for a variation on this rice pilaf.
Below are some popular variations.
- Almonds – Toast the almonds while cooking the rice in butter to add extra flavor and crunch. Almonds are popular but you could use pecans or walnuts or any other nut.
- Orzo – Orzo is often used either instead of vermicelli or in addition to vermicelli. It is a rice shaped pasta that gives the rice pilaf some extra flavor and texture.
- Herbs – Add even more flavor by including your favorite herbs, such as basil, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, mint to name just a few. Combine these with other ingredients listed in the variations to come up with your unique version of rice pilaf.
- Vegetables – Include your favorite vegetables, such as chopped or shredded carrots, peas, chopped spinach, kale, or chopped broccoli. It is a great way to increase the nutritional value as well as to add texture and flavor.
- Bacon – I don’t think I need to say anymore. Everything is better with bacon. It adds that rich, smoky flavor to the rice.
What to Serve with Rice Pilaf?
Rice Pilaf makes a wonderful side dish for any meal. You could also add shredded chicken and vegetables to the rice to make it a meal unto itself. However, here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with rice pilaf.
Oven Baked Chicken Breast – This is one of my most popular recipes and the one that initiated this recipe for rice pilaf because so many people requested the recipe for the rice shown in the picture with the chicken. Round out the meal with your favorite vegetable, such as these Creole Green Beans.
Rotisserie Chicken Breast Tenders – I think the seasoning in this chicken dish will pair well with the flavor of the rice pilaf. Add your favorite vegetable, such as this
Beef Tips and Rice – Switch out the regular rice with the rice pilaf served with these Beef Tips. This is another one of my most popular recipes on the blog.
Honey Glazed Carrots – These Honey Glazed Carrots pair perfectly with the rice pilaf for a holiday dinner or any weeknight dinner.
Other Rice Recipes
If you like this recipe for rice pilaf, be sure to check out these other rice recipes to change up dinner every now and then.
Lemon Asparagus Asiago Brown Rice – A unique variation on rice for Spring that adds the freshness of lemon and healthy asparagus as well as the nutty flavor of Asiago cheese.
Perfect White Rice – Sometimes you want to go with the tried and true and stick to the basic rice recipe to let the other dishes shine through.
Mango Spinach Rice Salad – Turn rice into a summer salad with this Mango Spinah Rice Salad.
Ricotta Rice Tomatoes Florentine – Brown rice, combined with ricotta and spinach stuffed inside tomatoes. This makes an excellent side dish or vegetarian main dish.
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This fluffy, buttery Rice Pilaf, infused with incredible flavor from sauteing in butter and cooking in seasoned chicken broth, with vermicelli (or orzo), creates a classic side dish for a holiday meal or weeknight dinner.
- 1/2 cup butter divided
- 2 cups rice (uncooked)
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup vermicelli (uncooked and broken into small pieces)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne (Optional)
In a saucepan over medium heat add 4 tablespoons butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and paprika, cayenne, and when it starts to boil, reduce heat to low.
In a large, deep skillet, over medium heat, add 4 tablespoons butter. Saute the chopped onion in butter until it is soft and translucent.
Add vermicelli and cook for about 4 or 5 minutes until it is browned. (Be careful not to burn.)
Add rice and cook for about 5 minutes or until it looks bright white.
Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
Pour broth into the skillet with rice, cover and cook until rice is cooked about 15 to 20 minutes.
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