Description

This comforting Chicken Flavored Rice recipe combines tender long grain white rice and orzo pasta sautéed in butter, then simmered in flavorful chicken broth enhanced with chicken base, dehydrated onion, and black pepper. The result is a fragrant, savory side dish perfect for pairing with your favorite chicken or vegetable mains, garnished optionally with fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice and Pasta

1 cup Long Grain White Rice
½ cup Orzo Pasta

Flavoring and Seasoning

2 tablespoons Butter
½ teaspoon Dehydrated Onion
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
1 tablespoon Chicken Base
Salt (if needed at the end)
Chopped Fresh Parsley (for garnish, optional)

Liquids

3¼ cups Chicken Broth

Instructions

Prepare the Butter and Rice: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan (about 2½–3 quarts) over medium heat until foamy.
Sauté Rice and Orzo: Add the long grain white rice and orzo pasta to the melted butter. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice and orzo turn lightly golden in spots, developing a nutty aroma.
Add Seasonings and Broth: Stir in the dehydrated onion and black pepper, then pour in the chicken broth.
Incorporate Chicken Base: Add the tablespoon of chicken base to the mixture and stir thoroughly until it is completely dissolved, infusing the dish with rich chicken flavor.
Bring to Boil: Increase the heat to high and bring the broth to a rolling boil, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
Simmer the Rice Mixture: Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer uncovered. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the rice and orzo become visible on the surface, approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning on the base.
Cook Covered Until Tender: Lower the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and cook for about 20 minutes. Stir only once halfway through this time. This slow cooking tenderizes the rice and orzo as they absorb remaining liquid.
Fluff and Release Steam: Remove the lid and fluff the cooked rice with a fork gently to let any trapped steam escape, ensuring a light, fluffy texture.
Season to Taste: Sample the rice and add salt if necessary. Typically, a pinch suffices to balance the flavors without overpowering them.
Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley to add color and a fresh herbal note. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.

Notes

Stirring frequently during the initial sauté prevents the rice and orzo from burning and promotes even browning.
Using chicken base enhances the savory depth more than plain broth alone.
Adjust salt at the end to avoid over-seasoning, especially if your chicken broth is already salted.
Chopped parsley adds freshness but can be omitted for a simpler presentation.
For a gluten-free variation, substitute orzo pasta with a gluten-free pasta alternative or increase the rice proportion.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken flavored rice, savory rice, orzo rice recipe, easy side dish, chicken broth rice, buttery rice, one pot rice