10+ Rice Recipes for Dinner to Delight Your Family Tonight

Rice is such a simple, healthy ingredient, and honestly, you can do a lot with it for dinner. It cooks fast and seems to go with just about anything, which is perfect when you need something easy.

You can whip up filling, tasty dinners with rice that fit your mood and your schedule. Whether you’re after something fast or feel like experimenting, rice is a solid base that pulls a meal together.

1) Garlic Cilantro Lime Rice

This rice dish is an easy way to bring some fresh flavors to dinner. The bright lime, earthy garlic, and punchy cilantro really wake things up.

It’s a great side for Mexican or Asian meals, but honestly, I’d eat it with just about anything.

Cook your rice until it’s nice and fluffy. While that’s going, sauté garlic and onions in a splash of oil.

Toss in your cooked rice, squeeze in the lime juice, and add a handful of chopped cilantro. Give it all a good stir.

Day-old rice works great here—it keeps the texture from getting mushy. This one’s quick, with a little zing.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups long-grain white rice
• 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth or water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook rice with chicken broth or water as the package says.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
3. Add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Stir in cooked rice and lime zest, mix well.
5. Take off heat, add lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Mix gently.
6. Serve warm.

For more details, check out this Garlic Cilantro Lime Rice recipe.

2) Iranian Yellow Rice with Saffron

Iranian Yellow Rice is both stunning and tasty. Saffron brings a floral note and that gorgeous yellow color.

Cook your basmati rice until it’s light and fluffy. Soak saffron in warm water to get the most out of its color and flavor.

Mix the saffron water and butter into the rice. This is lovely with grilled meat or roasted veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• A pinch of saffron threads
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 3 tablespoons butter or oil
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups water or chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse rice until the water’s clear.
2. Soak saffron in hot water for 5 minutes.
3. Boil water or broth with salt.
4. Add rice; cook until almost done, about 10 minutes.
5. Drain rice and return to the pot.
6. Stir in saffron water and butter.
7. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes.
8. Fluff before serving.

Find the detailed version at Persian Yellow Rice Recipe.

3) Curried Chicken and Rice Soup

Curried chicken and rice soup is both warming and comforting. You get tender chicken, soft rice, and just enough curry spice.

Start by cooking chicken with carrots and other veggies. Add rice and broth, then sprinkle in curry powder and turmeric for color and flavor.

It’s filling but not heavy, and leftovers are even better the next day.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup rice
• 6 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a big pot over medium.
2. Brown chicken, then add carrots, curry powder, and turmeric. Cook 2 minutes.
3. Pour in broth, bring to a boil.
4. Add rice, lower heat, and simmer till rice is tender (about 20 minutes).
5. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

You can find similar recipes and tips at Curried Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe | Food Network Kitchen.

4) Spanish Rice with Peppers

Spanish rice with peppers is colorful and satisfying. Sauté bell peppers and onions until soft, then toast the rice in the pan for a little extra depth.

Add tomato sauce and water, and let the rice soak up all those flavors. Season with chili powder and salt—make it as mild or spicy as you like.

It’s quick, smells amazing, and works as a side or a main.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium.
2. Sauté pepper and onion for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add rice; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
4. Pour in tomato sauce and water.
5. Add chili powder and salt.
6. Bring to a boil, then lower heat.
7. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
8. Fluff and serve.

5) One-Pot Greek Chicken and Rice

If you want a tasty dinner with almost no cleanup, this is it. You cook chicken and rice together in one pot, so everything gets super flavorful.

Lemon and garlic bring a bright, zesty kick. Chicken thighs stay juicy, and oregano plus lemon zest make it even better.

The rice soaks up all the juices as it cooks underneath the chicken. Roasted lemon halves add a burst of tang.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, halved

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat oil in a big, oven-safe pot over medium.
3. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and oregano. Brown both sides, about 5 mins each.
4. Remove chicken; add garlic and lemon zest, cook for 1 min.
5. Stir in rice, then pour in broth.
6. Place chicken on top, add lemon halves.
7. Cover and bake 40 minutes.
8. Make sure chicken’s cooked through before serving.

6) Stuffed Peppers with Rice and Tomato Sauce

Stuffed peppers are filling and classic. Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with cooked rice, ground beef, and some seasonings.

Bake them in tomato sauce until everything’s tender. Add cheese on top if you’re feeling it.

It’s a full meal in one dish—protein, veggies, and grains. The tomato sauce keeps everything moist and tangy.

You can tweak the filling with different spices, onions, or herbs to match your taste.

Ingredients

• 6 medium green bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
3. Cook beef and onion until browned; drain fat.
4. Mix rice, beef, onion, salt, and pepper.
5. Stuff peppers, place in a baking dish.
6. Pour tomato sauce over peppers.
7. Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes.
8. Remove foil, add cheese if using, bake 10 more minutes.

7) Basil and Tomato Fried Rice

Basil and tomato fried rice feels fresh and comes together fast. Tomatoes cook down and add sweetness, while basil gives a peppery bite.

Leftover rice works perfectly. Garlic and onion add extra depth.

Just cook those tomatoes until they’re soft, then mix with rice and basil for a flavorful bite.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Sauté onion and garlic till soft.
3. Add tomatoes, cook 5 minutes till they break down.
4. Stir in rice, cook 3 minutes.
5. Add basil and salt, cook 2 more minutes, and serve.

8) Cumin and Cashew Yogurt Rice

This one’s a quick way to make plain rice more exciting. Toasted cumin seeds and cashews add crunch and warmth.

Stir in creamy yogurt for a cool, tangy contrast. If you like a little heat, toss in some green chiles.

Start by toasting cumin seeds and cashews in ghee or oil until fragrant. Mix in cooked rice and a bit of yogurt.

It’s mild, but still full of flavor. Kids usually love it, and honestly, adults do too.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked long-grain basmati rice, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1-2 fresh green chiles, sliced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon red chile powder (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Toss in cumin seeds and cashews. Let them cook until golden and fragrant—usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add sliced green chiles. If you like extra heat, sprinkle in some red chile powder.

4. Add cooked rice and salt. Mix everything together so it’s well combined.

5. Take the pan off the heat. Gently fold in the yogurt.

6. Serve warm, or just let it cool to room temperature—both ways work.

You can find more details in this Cumin and Cashew Yogurt Rice recipe.

9) One-Pot Mushroom and Ginger Rice

This one-pot mushroom and ginger rice is just right when you want something warm and simple. Mushrooms bring a deep, earthy flavor, and the ginger? It gives the dish a fresh, slightly spicy kick.

You cook the rice and mushrooms together in one pot. That means less mess, which is always a win.

It’s a solid choice for a quick weeknight dinner. The flavors are comforting, inspired by classic Cantonese cooking.

You can use shiitake or cremini mushrooms, or honestly, whatever you’ve got on hand. The ginger stands out but doesn’t take over, so every bite feels balanced.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups medium-grain white rice
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 10 ounces mushrooms (shiitake or cremini)
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the ginger and cook for about a minute.

3. Add mushrooms and cook until they’re soft—give it about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in rice, soy sauce, and vegetable stock.

5. Bring it all to a boil. Drop the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

6. Turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes before serving.

10) Nasi Lemak

Nasi lemak is a Malaysian classic that honestly makes a pretty great dinner. At its core, it’s rice cooked in coconut milk, which turns out creamy and rich.

You’ll usually see it with spicy sambal, crunchy fried anchovies, boiled eggs, cucumber slices, and a handful of peanuts. The rice gets extra fragrant from the coconut milk—sometimes folks throw in pandan leaves for a little something special.

Some people like to add fried chicken or extra sambal if they’re feeling hungry. It’s simple, but every bite packs a lot of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups jasmine rice
• ½ cup coconut cream (thick coconut milk)
• 2 pandan leaves (optional)
• Fried anchovies
• Boiled eggs
• Sliced cucumber
• Roasted peanuts
• Sambal (spicy chili paste)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice well.
2. Cook the rice with coconut cream and pandan leaves in a rice cooker or pot.
3. Fry anchovies until crispy.
4. Boil the eggs and slice the cucumber.
5. Serve the rice with sambal, anchovies, eggs, cucumber, and peanuts.