Quick and Easy Orzo Rice (a.k.a. Turkish Rice Pilaf)
If you love quick comfort food that tastes like it came straight from a Mediterranean restaurant, this quick and easy orzo rice recipe will become your new go-to. Also known as Turkish rice pilaf, it’s made with just 5 ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes. A cozy rice dinner recipe that turns simple ingredients into pure flavor.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 297kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- ½ cup orzo pasta see note#1
- 1 cup long grain rice such as Jasmine or Basmati rinsed and drained. See note#2
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth or vegetable broth, boiling hot, see note#3
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For serving (optional):
- Chopped fresh parsley, Greek yogurt, chili flakes
Instructions
- Place a pot over medium heat and add the butter and orzo. Stir continuously until the orzo turns deep brown (or until it reaches your preferred level of color).👉 keep a close eye on it because it can brown too fast.
- Stir in the rice and saute for 2 more minutes.
- Carefully add the chicken broth (it will bubble vigorously) and the salt, stir and bring to a boil. Then, reduce heat to a slow simmer, cover the pot with a lid and cook for 11-12 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove from the heat, place a double layer of paper towels over the pot and cover with the lid. Rest for at least 10 minutes, but the longer the better!Fluff with a fork very gently, and serve with fresh parsley and Greek yogurt.
Video
Notes
Note #1: Use orzo and rice that cook in roughly the same time, ideally within 1 minute of each other. For example the orzo I used needed 12 minutes and the rice 11.
Note #2: Transfer the rice to a large sieve and rinse under running water until the water runs clear, about 1–2 minutes. Let it drain well.
Note #3: Use homemade or store-bough chicken broth, or water mixed with chicken bouillon.
👉 If you don't have orzo, you can make this dish with broken angel hair pasta.
👉 Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for fluffier rice, and a pinch of lemon zest for added flavor.
Similar recipes you'll love:
- Mediterranean Vegetable Orzo Pasta (One Pot Recipe)
- Lebanese Mujadara (Lentils and Rice Recipe)
- Best Lemon Garlic Pearl Couscous Recipe
Nutrition
Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 739mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 178IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
