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Garlic Butter Rice is the easiest side dish recipe that you can make. Fresh garlic, rich butter and chicken broth gives long grain rice so much flavor.

Cooked white Rice topped with butter slice and chopped parsley in a blue dish
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Rice is one of my favorite go-to side dish recipes. It is budget friendly and can be seasoned in so many ways. Serve it with Grilled, Baked or Fried Meats as it completes many meals.

If you have made Crock Pot Rice, Mexican Rice, Mexican Fried Rice or Stick of Butter Rice then you are going to love the flavors of this Garlic Butter Rice.

Why This Recipe Works

Garlic Butter Rice compliments any meal with simple seasoning. I love that I can add fresh herbs, dried spices or add in veggies to create a side dish that everyone will love.

This is the easiest side dish recipe to serve for any occasion.

Ingredients

Ingredients - Long Grain Rice, chicken broth, butter, garlic, parsley, salt, thyme leaves, pepper, parmesan cheese

For the full recipe and ingredients scroll to the bottom for the full recipe.

Variations Ideas

  • Lemon Flavor – For a lemon flavor rice, substitute 2 tablespoons of the chicken broth for lemon juice. You can even add in lemon zest.
  • Add Meat – To make this main dish recipe, add in shredded cooked chicken or shrimp.

How to Make Garlic Butter Rice

Rinsing white rice in a colander with small bowls of seasoning on the side

Step 1 – Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

Melted butter in a cast iron skillet with minced garlic

Step 2 – In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Adding white rice with the melted butter in a cast iron skillet with small bowls of seasoning

Step 3 – Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat with the garlic butter. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly in a large saucepan.

Adding chicken broth and seasoning in the sauce pan with rice

Step 4 – Pour in the chicken broth, dried parsley, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Bring to a boil.

Saucepan topped with lid with small bowls of seasoning on the side

Step 5 – Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Cooked white rice in a sauce pan topped with butter slices and parmesan cheese

Step 6 – Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Garnish with fresh chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Expert Tips

  • Garlic Taste – Adjust the amount of garlic to your preference. For a milder flavor, use 4 cloves instead of 6.
  • Type of Rice – This recipe works best with long-grain rice, but you can experiment with other types of uncooked rice, adjusting liquid and cooking time as needed.
  • Rinse Rice – Before cooking the rice make sure to rinse the rice. This will create the best texture and the extra starch.
White rice in a large saucepan with a serving on a wooden spoon

Serving Suggestions

This Garlic Rice is the Perfect Side Dish to serve. Serve it with one of these delicious meats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Adding Butter to Rice Do?

When mixing butter with cooked rice adds flavor, texture and richness.

How do you know when Rice is Finishing Cooking?

Cooking time will vary depending on your stovetop. But you will know that the rice is finish cooking when the rice is tender and the water has been absorbs.

How to Store Leftover Rice

Store the leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Store in individual servings to easily add to a protein for a quick lunch.

How to Reheat Rice

Reheat the rice in the microwave in 30 second intervals until rice is heated.

White rice with a bite on a spoon

More Easy Rice Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this Garlic Butter Rice, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Garlic Butter Rice

5 from 1 vote
Garlic Butter Rice is the easiest side dish recipe that you can make. Fresh garlic, rich butter and chicken broth gives long grain rice so much flavor.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 486

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  • Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat with the garlic butter. Toast the rice for about 2
  • minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, dried parsley, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is
  • absorbed.
  • Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Recipe Notes

Adjust the amount of garlic to your preference. For a milder flavor, use 4 cloves instead of 6.
This recipe works best with long-grain rice, but you can experiment with other types, adjusting liquid and cooking time as needed.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 486kcal, Carbohydrates 77g, Protein 10g, Fat 14g, Saturated Fat 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0.5g, Cholesterol 40mg, Sodium 1658mg, Potassium 186mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 422IU, Vitamin C 2mg, Calcium 104mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Casey says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make and so delicious!