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The Ultimate Fluffy Homemade Rice Pilaf with Toasted Orzo

A white bowl filled with perfectly cooked, fluffy rice pilaf garnished generously with chopped fresh parsley.
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Make restaurant-style rice pilaf at home using this easy technique. This savory side dish features toasted orzo and chicken broth for perfect, fluffy grains every time. It is a quick rice side dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (like Basmati or Jasmine), rinsed until water runs clear
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo pasta to the pan. Toast the orzo, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pan with the toasted orzo. Cook until the onion softens, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add the rinsed rice to the pan. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to coat the grains in the fat and toast them lightly. This step helps achieve fluffiness.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Do not stir during this time.
  8. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Keep the lid on and let the rice rest undisturbed for an additional 10 minutes. This resting period is key for perfect texture.
  9. Remove the lid. Fluff the rice pilaf gently with a fork. Stir in the fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing your rice thoroughly removes excess starch, which prevents the final dish from becoming sticky or gummy.
  • For a vegetarian rice pilaf alternative, substitute the chicken broth with a quality vegetable broth.
  • This dish pairs well as a side dish for chicken dinner or pork chops.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheffinity.com/rice-pilaf-ultimate-fluffy-homemade-orzo/