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Easy Homemade Fluffy Rice Pilaf with Toasted Orzo

A white bowl filled with fluffy rice pilaf recipe, mixed with toasted vermicelli and garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
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Make a flavorful and fluffy rice pilaf side dish quickly using toasted orzo, aromatics, and broth. This recipe is simple 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, rinsed
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 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 and cook until softened, 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 fat and lightly toast them. This step helps keep the rice fluffy.
  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.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not remove the lid during this resting time.
  9. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use beef consommé instead of chicken broth.
  • You can substitute the orzo with vermicelli noodles if desired, toasting them the same way.
  • To customize this versatile rice recipe, stir in 1/2 cup of frozen peas or diced carrots during the last 5 minutes of simmering.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/rice-pilaf-recipe/