12 Easy Rice Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice

This zesty dish combines tender shrimp with spicy flavors, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the garlic and onion, sauté until fragrant.
3. Stir in the shrimp and cook until pink.
4. Add bell pepper, cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the cooked rice, soy sauce, and sriracha, mixing well.
6. Push the rice to one side and scramble the eggs on the other side of the skillet.
7. Combine the eggs with the rice, season with salt and pepper.
8. Garnish with green onions before serving.

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Indulge in a rich and comforting mushroom risotto that's surprisingly easy to whip up on a busy evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a pot, sauté the onion until soft.
2. Add mushrooms, cook until they release their moisture.
3. Stir in rice, cooking until edges are translucent.
4. Pour in the wine, stirring until absorbed.
5. Gradually add broth, one ladle at a time, stirring continuously.
6. Once rice is creamy and tender, stir in Parmesan and butter.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Lemon Herb Rice with Chicken

Zesty and aromatic, this lemon herb rice paired with tender chicken is both quick and delightful.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
2. Add chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper, cook until browned.
3. Stir in rice, lemon juice, thyme, and oregano.
4. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is tender.
6. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Spanish Paella

Savor the vibrant flavors of Spain with this easy-to-make seafood and chicken paella.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 pound chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• 1/2 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
• 3 cups chicken broth

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add onion, bell peppers, and garlic, sauté until soft.
2. Add chicken, cooking until browned on all sides.
3. Stir in rice, smoked paprika, and saffron, cooking for a minute.
4. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer.
5. Arrange seafood on top, cover, and cook until rice absorbs the liquid.
6. Let it rest before serving.

Coconut Curry Rice

Enjoy this tropical-inspired dish where aromatic coconut milk and curry powder transform plain rice into something special.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup peas
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
2. Stir in rice, coconut milk, curry powder, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
4. Cover and simmer until rice is tender.
5. Stir in peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Vegetable Fried Rice

An easy and flexible stir-fry dish, perfect for using up leftover vegetables from your fridge.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a wok, add garlic, and sauté.
2. Stir in vegetables, cooking until tender.
3. Add rice and soy sauce, mixing well.
4. Push rice to one side and scramble egg on the other side of the pan.
5. Combine egg with rice, season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot.

Mexican Rice

Bring the vibrant flavors of Mexico to your kitchen with this simple yet delicious rice dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat oil in a saucepan, add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
2. Stir in rice, tomato, cumin, and cook until rice is opaque.
3. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed.
5. Fluff rice with a fork before serving.

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl

This quick rice bowl features sticky teriyaki chicken served over fluffy rice, making it both delicious and convenient.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 pound chicken breast, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

Cooking method:

1. Combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
2. Marinate chicken in the mixture for 15 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet, add chicken, and cook until done.
4. Serve chicken over rice, drizzling with remaining teriyaki sauce.

Pineapple Fried Rice

Sweet and savory, this fried rice recipe is an exotic twist to your usual weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 2 green onions, chopped

Cooking method:

1. Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add pineapple and rice, stirring to combine.
3. Stir in soy sauce and cashews, mixing well.
4. Cook until heated through and garnish with green onions.

Thai Basil Chicken Rice

Capture the vibrant taste of Thai cuisine with this spicy basil chicken served over rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken thighs, minced
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1 red chili, sliced

Cooking method:

1. Heat oil in a wok, add garlic and chili, sauté until aromatic.
2. Add chicken, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
4. Add basil leaves, tossing until wilted.
5. Serve chicken over cooked jasmine rice.