Name: Easy Buttery Seasoned Rice (Perfect Every Time!)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 2 cups long grain white rice, uncooked; 3 1/4 cups water; 2 tsp chicken powder (bouillon); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 2 Tbsp dried parsley (optional); 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

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Let’s talk about rice. It’s the humble, hardworking side dish that appears on dinner plates all around the world. But for many of us, it’s often an afterthought—plain, bland, and simply there to fill the plate. What if you could transform that boring side into a flavour-packed, buttery, and fluffy masterpiece with virtually no extra effort?

Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan
Step 2: Bring to a Simmer and Cover
Step 3: Cook Undisturbed
Step 4: The Crucial 10-Minute Rest
Step 5: Fluff with Butter and Serve
Rice Cooker Method

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing and Reheating Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of rice?
Q2. What can I use instead of chicken powder?
Q3. Can I add fresh herbs?

Easy Buttery Seasoned Rice (Perfect Every Time!)

Description
Ingredients

Seasoned Rice

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

Forget the complicated pilafs that require sautéing and toasting. This Buttery Seasoned Rice recipe is your new secret weapon for the most delicious rice of your life, and it’s almost as easy as making a plain pot of rice. Using a simple blend of pantry-staple spices, this one-pot wonder delivers perfectly cooked, flavourful rice every single time. Get ready to elevate every meal with a side dish that truly shines.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This recipe uses a simple blend of common spices to create a rich and savory flavour. You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now!

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Long grain white rice, uncooked	2 cups
Water	3 1/4 cups
Chicken powder (bouillon)	2 tsp
Garlic powder	1 tsp
Onion powder	1 tsp
Paprika	1 tsp
Dried thyme	1/2 tsp
Dried parsley (optional)	2 tbsp
Salt	1 tsp
Freshly ground black pepper	1/2 tsp
Unsalted butter	3 tbsp

Timing

This is the ultimate quick and easy side dish, ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish. The 10-minute resting period is crucial for perfect, fluffy grains!

Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple, foolproof steps to achieve perfectly fluffy and flavourful seasoned rice. The key is to trust the process and not lift the lid!

Step 1: Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan

This is the beauty of a “dump-and-go” recipe. In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine all the ingredients EXCEPT for the butter. That means the uncooked rice, water, chicken powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, optional parsley, salt, and pepper all go into the pot. Give everything a good stir to make sure the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Bring to a Simmer and Cover

Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer. You’re looking for the point where the edges of the water are bubbling and the entire surface is rippling. As soon as it reaches this stage, immediately put the lid on and turn the stove down to medium-low. If you have a very strong stove, turn it to low. The goal is to maintain a gentle, steady simmer.

Step 3: Cook Undisturbed

This is the most important rule of making perfect rice: Do not lift the lid! Set a timer for 13 minutes and let the rice cook completely undisturbed. Lifting the lid releases the steam that is essential for cooking the rice evenly.

Step 4: The Crucial 10-Minute Rest

Once the 13 minutes are up, remove the saucepan from the stove. If you absolutely must check if the water is absorbed, you can quickly tilt the pot to the side and take a peek. But it’s best to trust the timing. Now, let the rice stand for 10 minutes with the lid still on. This step is not optional! It allows the moisture to redistribute throughout the rice, finishing the cooking process and ensuring every grain is perfectly fluffy.

Step 5: Fluff with Butter and Serve

After the 10-minute rest, remove the lid. You will be greeted by the most wonderfully aromatic, perfectly cooked rice. Add the 3 tablespoons of butter on top, and use a rubber spatula or a fork to gently fluff the rice, mixing in the melting butter as you go. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Rice Cooker Method

This recipe is also perfect for a rice cooker! Simply add all the ingredients (except the butter) to your rice cooker, give it a stir, and cook according to your manufacturer’s directions. Once it’s finished, stir through the butter at the end and fluff.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, assuming the recipe makes 6 servings.

Calories: 285 kcal
Protein: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fat: 7 g (Saturated Fat: 4 g)

Healthier Alternatives

While this recipe is delicious as is, here are a few simple swaps to fit different dietary needs:

Add Whole Grains: You can make this with brown rice for added fiber. However, you will need to adjust the water ratio and cooking time according to the package directions (brown rice typically requires more water and a much longer cooking time).
Vegetarian/Vegan Option: To make this recipe vegan and vegetarian-friendly, simply substitute the chicken powder with a high-quality vegetable bouillon powder and use your favorite vegan butter.
Lower Sodium: Use a low-sodium chicken or vegetable bouillon to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

This buttery seasoned rice is the ultimate versatile side dish. It has enough flavour to be interesting but is neutral enough to pair with almost anything.

With Chicken, Fish, or Steak: It’s the perfect accompaniment to a simple roasted chicken, pan-seared salmon, grilled steak, or pork chops.
As a Base for Bowls: Use this flavourful rice as the base for a delicious burrito bowl, a Mediterranean-inspired bowl with grilled vegetables and feta, or an Asian-inspired bowl with stir-fried veggies and a protein.
Alongside Stews and Curries: Use it to sop up the delicious sauces from your favorite stews, chilis, and curries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these simple rules for perfect, fluffy rice every single time.

Lifting the Lid While Cooking: This is the cardinal sin of rice-making. It lets all the precious steam escape, which is what actually cooks the rice.
- Solution: Trust the timer and the process. Whatever you do, do not lift that lid until the 10-minute resting period is over.
Skipping the Rest Time: It’s tempting to dig in right away, but the 10-minute rest is when the magic happens. It allows the moisture to settle and results in perfectly fluffy, distinct grains.
- Solution: Be patient! Move the pot off the heat and walk away for 10 minutes. It’s worth the wait.
Stirring the Rice: Stirring rice while it cooks can activate the starches and lead to a gummy, sticky texture.
- Solution: Give it one good stir at the very beginning to mix the seasonings, then let it be. The only other time you should touch it is when you fluff it with butter at the end.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Properly storing cooked rice is important for food safety.

Storing: Cool leftover rice as quickly as possible and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not leave cooked rice sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
Reheating: To reheat, place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the top, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave until heated through. The added moisture will help to steam the rice and make it soft and fluffy again.

Conclusion

Say goodbye to boring, plain rice forever! This Easy Buttery Seasoned Rice recipe is a true game-changer for your weeknight meals. It’s incredibly simple, uses spices you already have on hand, and delivers a perfectly fluffy, buttery, and flavourful side dish that will have everyone asking for your secret. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a foundational technique that will elevate countless future meals.

We are so excited for this to become your new go-to side dish. Give it a try with your next dinner and let us know how much you love it in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more simple, delicious, and foolproof recipes.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different type of rice?

This recipe is specifically designed for long-grain white rice. Other varieties like basmati or jasmine would also work well with similar cooking times. However, short-grain rice, arborio rice, or brown rice will require different water-to-rice ratios and significantly different cooking times.

Q2. What can I use instead of chicken powder?

Vegetable bouillon powder is the perfect substitute for a vegetarian version. You could also replace the water and powder entirely with 3 1/4 cups of good-quality chicken or vegetable broth, but you may need to adjust the salt accordingly.

Q3. Can I add fresh herbs?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for dried parsley for convenience, you could certainly stir in some freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives at the very end when you are fluffing the rice with the butter.