10 Savory Rice Dishes for Any Occasion

Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto

This creamy and flavorful risotto is a perfect dish for both casual dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, and sauté the onions until translucent.
2. Add the mushrooms and cook until they are tender.
3. Stir in the Arborio rice, allowing it to toast slightly.
4. Pour in the white wine and let it reduce.
5. Gradually add the broth, one ladle at a time, stirring continuously until the rice is creamy and cooked through.
6. Mix in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Spanish Seafood Paella

This traditional Spanish dish combines seafood and fragrant spices to create a rich and delicious experience.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Bomba rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound mussels, cleaned
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
2. Add the Bomba rice, smoked paprika, and saffron, stirring to coat the rice.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, bringing to a simmer and allowing it to cook until the rice absorbs most of the liquid.
4. Add the shrimp and mussels, cooking until the shrimp are pink and mussels have opened.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Chicken Fried Rice

A quick and satisfying dish that combines chicken and vegetables with perfectly fried rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 green onions, sliced

Cooking method:

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat, and cook the chicken until warmed through.
2. Add the mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
3. Push the chicken and vegetables to one side, and pour the beaten eggs into the empty space, scrambling them.
4. Stir in the cooked rice and soy sauce, mixing well with the eggs, chicken, and vegetables.
5. Garnish with green onions before serving.

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

This exotic and sweet rice dish brings the flavors of Thailand to your kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice, cooked
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the shrimp until cooked.
2. Add the pineapple chunks and cook for a minute.
3. Stir in the cooked jasmine rice, fish sauce, and curry powder, mixing thoroughly.
4. Add the cashews, cooking until everything is heated through.
5. Garnish with green onions before serving.

Jollof Rice

A popular West African dish, Jollof rice is vibrant and full of flavor, perfect for any celebration.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 2 cups chicken stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes, thyme, and curry powder, simmering for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the rice, coating it well with the tomato mixture.
4. Pour in the chicken stock, bringing it to a boil before reducing the heat.
5. Cover and simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed, seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

Biryani

An aromatic South Asian rice dish, biryani is layered with spices, meat, and vegetables to create a flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 pound chicken, diced
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Marinate the chicken in yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, turmeric, and salt for at least an hour.
2. Heat ghee in a pot and sauté the onions until caramelized.
3. Add the marinated chicken, cooking until browned.
4. Layer the basmati rice over the chicken, pouring in the water.
5. Cover and cook on low heat until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed.

Cajun Dirty Rice

This flavorful rice dish features hearty spices and meats, perfect for a taste of the Deep South.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white rice, cooked
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pan, brown the ground beef and pork over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in the Cajun seasoning and cooked white rice, mixing thoroughly.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Lemon Herb Pilaf

This light and refreshing rice pilaf is infused with lemon and herbs, making it an excellent side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and sauté the onion until transparent.
2. Stir in the rice, allowing it to toast lightly.
3. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, and thyme, bringing to a boil.
4. Cover and reduce heat, simmering until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Fluff with a fork and stir in parsley before serving.

Kimchi Fried Rice

A spicy and tangy Korean dish, kimchi fried rice is a great way to use leftover rice and add a flavorful kick to your meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups day-old rice
• 1 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 eggs, fried
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Cooking method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat, and add the chopped kimchi.
2. Stir in the rice, gochujang, and soy sauce, cooking until everything is well combined and heated through.
3. Serve topped with fried eggs and garnish with green onion.

Curried Coconut Rice

This tropical, aromatic dish combines the creaminess of coconut milk with the warmth of curry spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat, and sauté the onion until soft.
2. Stir in the curry powder, allowing it to release its aroma.
3. Add the rice, coconut milk, and water, bringing to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
5. Season with salt before serving.