Think beyond fried rice – here’s my top 20 rice recipes that are rice meals for dinner! For all those times you’re wondering what to make with rice, I’m betting you’ve got everything you need to make at least one of these right now.
From an epic One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice, to a colourful beef and rice, stuffed peppers and rice soup, the one thing all these have in common other than RICE is that they’re easy to make and Can’t-Stop-Eating-It delicious.
Rice recipes – rice meals for dinner
Rice is so much more than a vehicle for soaking saucy stir fries and drowning in curry sauce. It’s endlessly versatile, it wants to soak up flavours so you can elevate any meal with rice sides like Curried Rice, Tomato Basil Rice, or the wildly popular Mushroom Rice.
And it can form the foundation of sensational rice meals. Quick to prepare, easy to make, save on washing up. Here’s my top rice meal recipes!
Best Rice Meal Recipes
Before you start:
- Ingredients listed excludes the following pantry staples:
- oil (olive, veg, canola or other plain)
- salt, pepper and sugar
- List excludes speciality rices –risottos, paella, sushi rice
1. One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
This is the recipe that made me understand what “going viral” meant! Chicken marinated in lemon and garlic baked on top of lemon rice so the juices leech into the rice, infusing it with what is essentially triple strength homemade stock!
Ingredients: white rice, bone in chicken thighs, lemons, dried oregano, garlic, onion, olive oil, chicken broth/stock
TIP: Instead of using cartons of liquid stock, buy stock cubes or bouillon powder. Dissolve in water = liquid broth!
2. Mexican Beef Stuffed Peppers {just 387 cal per serving}
Beef, cheesy, juicy beef and rice filling stuffed in capsicum / bell peppers. YUM! (And surprisingly low cal – there’s actually not much rice in this!)
Ingredients: rice, capsicum, garlic, onion, beef, tomato paste, chicken stock/broth, corn, green onions, cheese, spices spices (cayenne, oregano, cumin, coriander, onion). Toppings: quick guacamole (avocado, lime) or Avocado sauce (sour cream, avocado, lime), sour cream, coriander/cilantro
3. Creamy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
Tastes like risotto, but it’s so much easier to make! Made on the stove in one pot, dinner on the table in just over 20 minutes.
Ingredients: rice, butter, garlic, onion, chicken, broccoli, flour, milk, stock/broth/bouillon, dried thyme, cheese
Get the recipe >> (also see the Emergency “throw it all in a pan” baked version)
4. Chicken and Rice Soup
You don’t need to manhandle a whole chicken to make a beautiful flavour infused, golden, savoury broth. Use chicken pieces instead – it’s so much faster and the broth is absolutely incredible!
Ingredients: rice, butter, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, Vegeta stock powder/seasoning (or chicken powder/cube), chicken stock/broth, dried herbs (parsley, thyme), parsley (optional)
5. Jambalaya
Chicken and rice – the New Orleans way!!! Fully loaded with prawns, sausages, chicken and peppers in a spiced tomato broth, this is delivers big Cajun flavours.
Even if you make this with just ONE protein – sausages, chicken, shrimp or even vegetarian – it is still completely delicious!
Ingredients: rice, garlic, onion, butter, bacon, andouille or smoked sausages, chicken, prawns/shrimp, celery, capsicum, canned tomato, chicken stock/broth, tomato paste, green onions, spices (thyme, paprika, garlic, onion, cayenne)
6. Chicken Fried Rice
This is how to turn fried rice into a meal – add chicken and tons of veg (anything!). There’s more vegetables in this than rice – but it doesn’t taste like it!
Ingredients: oil, eggs, chicken, garlic, onion, bacon or ham, any diced veg (peas, corn, ham), cold cooked rice (any), green onions (or any onions), Chinese cooking wine (or Mirin or dry sherry), oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper
7. One Pan Chicken Shawarma with Chickpea Rice Pilaf (baked)
Fluffy, fragrant chickpea rice pilaf AND Chicken Shawarma all baked in one pan! Big, big flavours.
Ingredients: rice, garlic, onion, chicken thighs bone in, lemon juice, chicken broth/stock, raisins, chickpeas spices, for serving: yogurt, cilantro/coriander
Spices: coriander, cumin, cardamom, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon stick
8. Mexican Beef Rice Casserole
One of the most incredibly delicious things you can make with rice, beef mince (ground beef), canned tomato and a handful of everyday spices.
Ingredients: rice, garlic, onion, beef (ground/beef), tomato paste, chicken stock/broth, corn, beans, capsicum/bell peppers, green onions, cheese, spices (cayenne, oregano, cumin, coriander, onion, paprika)
9. Wild Rice Salad
Look at all that COLOUR!!! But don’t fret if you can’t find all the ingredients, or even wild rice. Use this recipe as a guide. Rice salads make such great meals!
Ingredients: wild rice, white wine vinegar, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, rocket/arugula, pomegranate, feta, dried cranberries, pecans, green onions
10. One Pot Chinese Chicken and Rice
It’s like FRIED RICE and Chinese Chicken, all made in one pot!! You’ll love the savoury flavour of the rice, and how the Asian chicken marinade adds great flavour with just a quick 10 minute marinade.
Ingredients: rice, garlic, ginger, onion, chicken thighs, Chinese broccoli, chicken stock/broth, Chinese cooking wine (or Mirin or dry sherry), oyster or Hoisin sauce, dark soy, optional garnishes (sesame seeds, green onion)
11. Biryani
The worlds’ most epic Chicken and Rice! A celebration of all that is great about Indian food – the heady aromas, the vibrant colours, the fluffy rice and those addictive curry flavours with the tender fall apart curried chicken. It basically uses every spice known to man kind – and it’s worth it. And you can get all of them at grocery stores!
Ingredients: basmati rice (or other), chicken thighs bone in (or drumsticks), yogurt, garlic, ginger, onions, coriander/cilantro, butter or ghee, spices
Spices: turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, cardamom, garam marsala, coriander, cumin, paprika, cloves, bay leaves, star anise
12. Baked Veggies and Rice
Fluffy seasoned rice AND garlic roasted vegetables baked together in ONE PAN! You could serve it as a veg-and-carb side dish in one, but I usually have it as a meal. Optional sauces – gravy, yogurt, or honey mustard sauce (doubles as dressing). Use any roastable veg.
Ingredients: white rice, chicken or veg stock/broth, garlic, carrots, butter, onion, capsicum/bell peppers, cauliflower, zucchini, corn cobs, spices (paprika, thyme, garlic powder)
13. Chinese Ham Bone Rice Soup (Congee)
Thick and creamy rice soup, 3 ingredient magic! Ham bone + rice + water. Slow cooked until the rice breaks down, the meat is falling off the bone, and the broth is beautifully flavoured. Slow cooker, pressure cooker or stovetop.
Ingredients: ham bone / hock, rice, garnishes (green onions crispy fried shallots)
14. Baked Chicken and Rice (one pan)
The timeless classic we will make today and forever – seasoned chicken cooked in the same pan with fluffy garlic butter rice. The chicken juices leech into the rice as it cooks, so it’s like cooking rice in triple strength homemade stock! Don’t fret if you don’t have all the spices. This recipe is more about the method and the rice!
Ingredients: bone in thighs, garlic, onion, butter, rice, chicken broth/stock, spices (paprika, thyme, garlic, onion)
15. Beef and Rice with Veggies
What to do with rice and beef mince? Make this colourful Beef and Rice! It’s like a pilaf, except loaded with more veggies and packed with more flavour. Make this with ANY veggies!
Ingredients: rice, garlic, onion, beef, tomato paste, spices (cumin, onion, oregano, cayenne, bay leaf), beef stock/broth, frozen diced veg, baby spinach or similar
16. Chicken and Rice Pilaf (Cranberry, Walnut, Apple) (baked)
The smell that wafts through your house when this Baked Chicken and Rice Pilaf is in the oven is heavenly! The rice is cooked with cranberries and walnuts in a herb infused apple broth, with fresh apple tossed through. Add a terrific sticky chicken, and you’ve got a fabulous quick-prep one pan dinner!
Ingredients: rice, garlic, onion, chicken thighs, butter, apple juice, chickens stock/broth, dried cranberries*, walnuts*, apple, apricot jam, Dijon Mustard, herbs and spices (rosemary, thyme, garlic, all spice, paprika)
* Sub with other nuts or fruit
17. Cowboy Rice Salad
Rice salad – the Cowboy way! A Southwestern rice salad filled with bright zesty flavours and tossed with a lime dressing. Made with brown rice for extra flavour, and a hint of spice flavour in the dressing to drive home the SouthWestern flavours!
Ingredients: cooked brown rice, lime, honey, capsicum (red & green), red onion, corn, black beans, tomatoes, coriander/cilantro, spices
Spices: chipotle powder (sub smoked paprika + cayenne), cumin, garlic powder or garlic.
18. Baked Mexican Chicken and Rice
Mexican seasoned chicken baked WITH Mexican red rice loaded with add ins. Be prepared for big, BIG flavours!
Ingredients: rice, bone in chicken thighs, lime, onion, garlic, capsicum/bell peppers, tomato puree or passata (or canned tomato), corn, black beans, spices, garnishes (coriander/cilantro, jalapeno)
Spices: garlic, paprika, cumin, cayenne
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Rice recipes - rice meal recipes for dinner
Ingredients
- One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
- Mexican Beef Stuffed Peppers
- Creamy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole (stove)
- Emergency Baked Rice Casserole
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- Jambalaya
- Dinner Fried Rice (with any protein)
- One Pan Chicken Shawarma with Chickpea Rice Pilaf
- Mexican Beef Rice Casserole
- Wild Rice Salad
- One Pot Chinese Chicken and Rice
- Biryani
- Baked Veggies and Rice
- Chinese Ham Bone Soup (Congee)
- One Pan Baked Chicken and Rice
- Beef and Rice with Veggies
- Chicken and Rice Pilaf with Nuts and Dried Fruit
- Cowboy Rice Salad
- Baked Mexican Chicken and Rice
How to cook rice:
- 1 cup rice (white rice - long grain, medium grain, short grain, Jasmin, basmati)
- 1.5 cups water
Instructions
- Place water and rice in a medium saucepan over medium high heat.
- Bring to a simmer so the entire surface is rippling.
- Place tight fitting lid on, then reduce heat to medium low so it's simmering gently (or low for strong stoves).
- Cook for 13 minutes - do not stir, do not remove lid.
- Water should now be absorbed - QUICKLY tilt pot, lift lid to check.
- Put lid back on, remove from stove, leave 10 minutes.
- Remove lid, fluff with fork. Serve!
Recipe Notes:
- See here for all flavoured Rice Side dishes (like tomato basil rice, pilaf etc)
- Also see how to cook:
Life of Dozer
Question: What’s wrong with this picture?
Answer: Me on floor. Dozer on comfy lounge. That’s #LifeOfDozer
Hi Nagi. Some great recipes in here.
Thank You.
Do you have one for Jollof Rice?
I don’t Anthony, one to add to my list! N x
Thank you Nagi, I really appreciate all the effort you are putting in to helping others. We are currently in NZ, we have been informed that we cannot fly due to my husbands history of heart failure/disease. Now our daughter has been diagnosed with a depleted immune system so we are all in self isolation far from home. I am using all your plans to keep us well fed. Again thank you.
Oh Skyla, I’m so sorry to hear that. Please keep your spirits up! Where are you staying?? N xx
We have been lucky enough to stay at the place we short term leased. They have been amazing and said stay as long as you need to. Everything here is starting to shift as more cases come to light. This is something my Gran talked about in the UK with polio, I didn’t think I ever thought I would see it in my lifetime. I just hope that people remain kind to each other & perhaps after this we will all live with more gratitude & love. I hope you & your family are safe & well. I will just keep cooking your beautiful meals. Thank you.