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Chicken flavored rice is a delicious dish that renews a seemingly ordinary rice and serve it as an appetizing side dish for so many meals. This recipe uses spices and chicken broth to produce the richness of this meal. No matter it is served with chicken, beef or alongside vegetables, this dish is sure to impress everybody at home.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
- ½ cup Orzo Pasta
- ½ teaspoon Dried Minced Onion
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 3¼ cups Chicken Broth
- 1 tablespoon Chicken Base
- Salt (to taste)
- Chopped Fresh Parsley (for garnish, optional)
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: Cooking should take the right amount of each ingredient to avoid spoilage of taste or the foods to become too salty. For instance, the use of rice in a given dish may mean experience a dry dish if excessive rice is used or on the other-end an excessively moist dish if limited rice is used is experienced.
- Use Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Use reduced sodium chicken broth to avoid using a lot of salt in your dish. This makes you be able to add seasoning of your choice without having the dish become salty at one point.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Be very careful with the time indicated in the recipe that is cooking time. When rice is overcooked it turns mashy and if under cooked it turns hard and not tasty at all.
- Stir Occasionally: Again, the rice should be stirred during its cooking process, lest it stick to the bottom of the pot. This makes the food cook evenly and assist in preserving the fluffiness of the food that is being cooked.
- Taste Before Serving: As a cook it is always recommendable to taste the dish before taking it to the dining table. Incorporate salt and spices at the required amount as necessary in order to improve flavor to their chicken flavored rice.
Chicken Flavored Rice Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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Butter: The butter enhances flavors of this dish and also makes it a little dense to hold flavors well. As for the fat content you can use half of the butter and substitute it with olive oil.
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Rice Type: For this preparation, long grain white rice is preferred due to its fluffy texture when cooked. For a more aromatic addition, you can use either basmati or jasmine rice.
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Chicken Broth: It is preferable to use home-made chicken broth, if you are not able to make one, then you can easily get one from the market. Well only make sure it comes without the salt if you are keen on your levels of Sodium in your system.
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Orzo Pasta: This ingredient gives a nice crunchy feel and a measure of substance to the rice dish. You may replace it with other miniature pasta such as ditalini or couscous in case that is preferable to you.
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Seasoning Adjustments: It is proper to alter spices to individual taste. A splash of some fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary will actually make the dish taste even better.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Melt your Butter: Start by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat until it froths.
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Stir in Rice & Orzo: Add 1 cup long-grain white rice and ½ cup orzo to the melted butter. Saute for a couple of minutes, stirring often until they are slightly golden.
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Stir in the seasonings: Add ½ tsp of dried minced onion and ¼ tsp black pepper, mixing to combine.
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Add Chicken Broth: 3¼ cups chicken broth and 1 tablespoon chicken base, stirring to combine.
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Rapid Boil: Turn up heat to high and bring the mixture into a rapid boil, about 2-3 minutes.
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Boil and Simmer: Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until most of the liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
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Cover and Cook: Then cover, reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender and fluffy.
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Fluff and Serve: Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit covered for about 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Protein additions: If you wish to make this an entire meal and have extra protein, try is with some cooked chicken / shrimp added during the final few mins of cook time so they can infuse into your dish.
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The veggie boost: Add some veggies such as peas or diced carrots for extra nutrition and color; do this during the last 10 minutes of cooking so that they are still a bit crunchy.
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Spice It Up: Toast a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes in your skillet with oil and garlic for some extra heat if you like it spicy.
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Alternative Grains: Experiment with brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice for different textures and nutritional profiles; just adjust cooking times accordingly.
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Creamy Version: For the creamy version, add a splash of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk right before serving for some extra richness.
EQUIPMENT
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Medium saucepan (2½ - 3 quart)
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Wooden spoon or spatula
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
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Pairing Suggestions: Serve your chicken flavored rice alongside grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
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Garnish Creatively: Enhance presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro before serving; this adds color and freshness.
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Warm Serving Temperature: This dish is best enjoyed warm; if reheating leftovers, add a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out during reheating.
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Elegant Plating: Use a ring mold to shape servings on plates for an elegant presentation at dinner parties or special occasions.
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Accompanying Sauces: Offer sauces such as soy sauce or teriyaki on the side for guests who enjoy additional flavor options with their meal.
If you're looking for another flavorful meal, check out this easy Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers Recipe
