10+ Rice Cooker Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Rice cookers are such a lifesaver in the kitchen. They make cooking rice quick and easy, but honestly, they do way more than that.

You can whip up all sorts of simple, tasty meals with just your rice cooker.

This guide will help you try out different dishes you can make with this handy device. If you’re just getting started or just bored of the same old routine, you’ll find some helpful ideas here.

1) Peanut Chicken with Rice and Ginger

You can throw together a tasty peanut chicken with rice and ginger in your rice cooker. The chicken gets a quick marinade with ginger, lime, and a touch of brown sugar for a punch of flavor.

While the chicken cooks, just mix up a peanut sauce with peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and maybe a bit of Sriracha if you like a little heat. The rice cooks along with the chicken, soaking up all those flavors.

Once it’s done, toss on some crunchy peanuts and fresh cilantro. It’s pretty hands-off and perfect for those nights when you just can’t be bothered.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha (optional)
• 1 teaspoon lime zest and juice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• 1 ½ cups water or chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix chicken with ginger, lime zest, brown sugar, and salt. Let it marinate for about 20 minutes.
2. Add rice, water (or broth), and the marinated chicken to your rice cooker.
3. Cook until everything’s done.
4. In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, Sriracha, and ¼ cup warm water.
5. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and rice, then stir gently.
6. Top with peanuts and cilantro. Serve warm.

2) Rainbow Fried Rice with Shallots and Garlic

You can make a bright, flavorful fried rice right in your rice cooker. Start by adding jasmine rice and water, then stir in minced shallots and garlic for a mellow kick.

Next, toss in a mix of veggies like carrots, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes. Add some diced chicken or your favorite protein if you want.

Close the lid and use the regular rice setting. The vegetables stay colorful and fresh, and the flavors blend together nicely.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp minced shallots
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp diced carrots
• 2 tbsp broccoli florets
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• Optional: diced chicken or protein of choice

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice and put it in the rice cooker.
2. Add 1 cup of water.
3. Stir in shallots and garlic.
4. Top with carrots, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes. Add protein if you’re using any.
5. Close the lid and start the rice cooker on the normal setting.
6. When it’s done, fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

3) One-Pot KFC-Style Chicken Meal

You can put together an easy one-pot meal with rice, fried chicken, and a few extras in your rice cooker. Just add rice, water, and fried chicken pieces right into the pot.

Toss in some garlic and frozen veggies for extra flavor and nutrition. As the rice cooks, the chicken gets super tender, and you can pull it apart to mix with the rice.

Season with soy sauce or chicken stock for that rich, cozy taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2-3 pieces fried chicken
• 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce or 1/2 cup chicken stock

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice a few times and drain it well.
2. Put rice in the cooker and add water.
3. Place fried chicken pieces on top of the rice.
4. Sprinkle garlic and veggies over the chicken.
5. Pour soy sauce or chicken stock evenly.
6. Close the lid and hit start.
7. When it’s done, use forks to shred the chicken and mix it all together.
8. Serve warm.

4) Steamed Vegetables with Sesame Oil

Steaming veggies in your rice cooker is a breeze. Use anything you like—carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, green beans. The steam keeps them tender but still a little crisp.

After steaming, just drizzle on some toasted sesame oil. It adds a nutty flavor that’s hard to beat.

You can also toss in a bit of soy sauce and chopped green onions if you’re feeling fancy. This recipe works as a side or as part of a bigger meal.

Ingredients

• Mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, green beans)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and chop your veggies into bite-sized pieces.
2. Place them in the rice cooker’s steaming basket.
3. Add water to the cooker (check your manual for how much).
4. Use the steam function and cook for about 10-15 minutes.
5. Move veggies to a bowl.
6. Drizzle with sesame oil and soy sauce, then sprinkle on green onions.
7. Toss everything together and serve warm.

If you want more inspiration, check out this kimchi steamed veggies & rice recipe.

5) Soy Sauce Chicken and Rice

You can make a savory soy sauce chicken and rice meal in your rice cooker with hardly any effort. The chicken soaks up all the flavor from the soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.

Just put the chicken and sauce on top of the rice before cooking. The rice cooker steams everything together, so you barely have to do anything.

Stick with low-sodium soy sauce to keep things from getting too salty. If you want a deeper taste, add a splash of oyster sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken thighs
• 2 cups rice
• 3g julienned ginger
• 12g minced garlic
• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 ½ cups water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice and put it in the rice cooker.
2. Add water as your rice cooker suggests.
3. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil in a bowl.
4. Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs and set them on top of the rice.
5. Cook until done, usually about 40-50 minutes.
6. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6) Rice Cooker Curry with No Broth

You can make a simple curry in your rice cooker without any broth. Just use spices, veggies, and a bit of water.

The rice cooks with the curry ingredients, so it all comes together at once. The curry turns out thick, not soupy, which is kind of nice for a change.

Add your favorite curry powder and chopped veggies like potatoes, carrots, or chickpeas. Stir it all together and let the rice cooker handle the rest.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 1 ½ cups water
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
2. Add rice, water, oil, curry powder, salt, and veggies to the rice cooker.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Close the lid and start the regular rice cooking cycle.
5. When finished, fluff the rice and curry with a fork.
6. Serve warm.

7) Fluffy Rice Cooker Pancakes

You can make big, fluffy pancakes in a rice cooker. The batter cooks slowly, so you get a pancake that’s about 1.5 inches thick.

It’s softer than stovetop pancakes and honestly kind of fun to make. Plus, you free up your stove and can just walk away.

The pancake stays moist and cooks evenly. Add a splash of vanilla or some fruit if you want to change it up.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups low-fat milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat eggs and milk together.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
4. Pour the batter into the rice cooker.
5. Close the lid and cook for about 40-50 minutes.
6. Check with a toothpick—it should come out clean.
7. Let it cool a few minutes before serving.

Try this for an easy, tasty breakfast any time.

For more details, see Fluffy Rice Cooker Pancakes.

8) Seafood Rice Stew

Seafood rice stew is a cozy, flavorful dish you can make in your rice cooker without much fuss. Just combine rice with seafood like fish, shrimp, or clams.

Add broth, tomatoes, and some simple seasonings. Use whatever mild fish or shellfish you like best.

Dump everything in the rice cooker and let it go until the rice is tender and the seafood is cooked through. It’s a satisfying one-pot meal for any day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice, rinsed
• 1 pound mixed seafood (fish fillets, shrimp, clams)
• 2 cups seafood broth or water
• 1 cup canned tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear.

2. Add rice, broth, tomatoes, salt, pepper, parsley, and oregano into the rice cooker.

3. Place seafood on top of the rice mixture.

4. Close the lid and start the cooking cycle.

5. Cook until the rice turns tender and the seafood’s fully cooked—usually about 30–40 minutes.

6. Stir gently and serve hot.

For more ideas, check out this seafood rice stew recipe.

9) Easy Peanut Sauce Rice Bowl

You can whip up a peanut sauce rice bowl in your rice cooker, and honestly, it’s way easier than you’d think. Start by cooking your rice right in the cooker.

While the rice does its thing, mix up a quick peanut sauce. Just stir together peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, and a splash of rice vinegar.

Toss in cooked or steamed veggies and some protein—chickpeas or tofu work great. Pour the peanut sauce over everything for that creamy, nutty kick.

This bowl comes together fast, so it’s perfect when you want a quick lunch or dinner but still want something satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (steamed or cooked)
• 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas or tofu

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook rice in your rice cooker the way you usually do.

2. In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and water until it’s smooth.

3. Steam or cook your veggies and protein.

4. Once the rice finishes, scoop it into bowls with veggies and protein.

5. Drizzle the peanut sauce over the top and dig in.

10) Rice Cooker Frittata with Vegetables

A rice cooker frittata is honestly a lifesaver when you want something healthy but don’t want to fuss with the oven. You just mix eggs with your favorite chopped veggies and pour it all into the rice cooker.

Vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers work really well. The rice cooker cooks the eggs gently, so they end up fluffy and just firm enough.

This recipe feeds 2 to 4 people, so it’s a nice fit for breakfast or maybe a light dinner. You can toss in some cheese or ham if you’re feeling it.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup spinach (fresh or thawed frozen)
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Line your rice cooker pot with baking paper. You can also grease it up with a little butter if that’s more your style.

2. Crack the eggs into a bowl and give them a good whisk. Toss in some salt and pepper—just eyeball it.

3. Throw in the spinach, mushrooms, and green onions. Stir everything together so it looks nice and mixed.

4. Pour this whole mixture into the rice cooker pot.

5. Close the lid, hit the cook button, and let the magic happen.

6. Let it cook for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for the eggs to set up nicely.

7. Stick a toothpick in the middle—if it comes out clean, you’re good to go.

8. Gently remove your frittata and serve it warm. Maybe with a little hot sauce?

If you want more ideas, check out this rice cooker frittata recipe from JustBento.