Easy Garlic Butter Rice is made with long grain white rice simmered in seasoned chicken broth with sautéed onion and garlic, then finished with butter and fresh parsley.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

This Easy Garlic Butter Rice is one of those simple side dishes that makes any dinner feel a little more special. It is buttery, garlicky and full of flavor and it still easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.

Instead of cooking the rice in plain water, chicken broth gives every bite lots of flavor. The extra butter stirred in at the end makes the rice rich and delicious, while fresh parsley adds a little pop of color. Serve it with chicken, steak, seafood or just about any meal that could use an easy side dish.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy Ingredients – It is made with simple ingredients you may already have at home.
Full of Flavor – Garlic, onion, chicken broth and butter make every bite delicious.
Versatile Side Dish – It pairs well with chicken, beef, pork, seafood and vegetables.
Great for Busy Nights – Most of

Ingredients

Here is everything you will need to make this delicious side dish. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Butter – Adds richness and helps soften the onion and garlic. The extra butter stirred in at the end makes the rice especially flavorful.
Onion – Gives the rice a savory base with a slightly sweet flavor.
Garlic – Adds plenty of delicious garlic flavor.
Chicken Broth – Makes the rice much more flavorful than cooking it in plain water.
Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder – Season the broth so the flavor cooks directly into the rice.
Long-Grain White Rice – Cooks up light and fluffy and works well as an easy side dish.
Parsley – Adds a pop of color and a little freshness at the end.

Should I Rinse The Rice First?

You do not need to rinse the rice before making this recipe. Using the proper amount of broth and allowing the rice to rest with the lid on will help give it a fluffy texture.

Some people prefer to rinse rice under cold water to remove some of the loose surface starch. This can help the grains stay a little more separate. If you choose to rinse the rice, drain it very well before adding it to the saucepan. Keep in mind that rinsed rice may hold a little extra moisture, so the texture can vary slightly.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this amazing rice. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

First, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, until it begins to soften. Stir in the garlic and sauté for another minute.

Now, slowly pour in the chicken broth. Season with salt, black pepper, parsley and garlic powder. Bring the broth mixture to a boil. Add the dry long-grain white rice and stir once to combine.

chicken broth, seasoning and rice in large pot

Then, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 18–20 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed. Do not stir the rice or repeatedly remove the lid while it is cooking. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice rest for 10 minutes with the lid still on. Remove the lid, add 2 tablespoons of butter and fluff the rice with a fork until the butter melts. Garnish with parsley serve & enjoy!

Pro Tips

Use a Tight-Fitting Lid – The trapped steam helps cook the rice evenly.
Do Not Keep Checking the Rice – Avoid lifting the lid while the rice simmers.
Remove It From the Burner – Let the rice rest off the heat with the lid still on for 10 minutes.
Fluff With a Fork – Use a fork instead of a spoon so the grains stay light and fluffy.
Taste Before Adding More Salt – Chicken broth and salted butter can already contain plenty of salt.
Use Fresh Garlic – Freshly minced garlic gives the rice the best flavor.

Variations

Use Vegetable Broth – Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to make the rice vegetarian.
Add Parmesan Cheese – Stir in a little grated Parmesan cheese after the rice has rested for an extra savory flavor.
Make It Lemony – Add a little lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
Add Fresh Herbs – Try fresh chives, green onions, dill or basil instead of parsley.
Add Vegetables – Stir in cooked peas, corn, spinach or sautéed mushrooms before serving.
Make It Spicy – Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a little cayenne pepper with the other seasonings.

What To Serve With Garlic Butter Rice?

This rice is a versatile side dish that works with so many meals. Serve it with grilled or baked chicken, steak, pork chops, meatballs, shrimp, salmon or roasted vegetables. It is also a great side dish for holiday dinners, potlucks and easy weeknight meals.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover garlic butter rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat it, place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl with a small splash of broth or water. Cover loosely and microwave until warmed through. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.