Italian Herb Rice

Cooked in chicken broth, tossed with warm butter and plenty of herbs, fluffy Italian rice is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

This is a flavorful and hearty side dish that makes a nice end to a weeknight dinner. It’s easy to make extras using simple, common ingredients.

rice with herbs

If you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish, this Italian rice recipe can be made in just 20 minutes. It’s sure to be a hit when paired with Lemon Garlic Tilapia or Spicy Stir-fried Chicken and Bacon.

And what’s the best? This recipe can be easily multiplied, making it a great dish to prepare in bulk for future meals. My kids love to eat it whenever they have leftover rice on hand.

Add it to a burrito bowl, stir fry for dinner, or toss with leftover grilled chicken or taco meat. There is actually no wrong way to use leftover rice.

Italian rice

With minimal fuss and simple spices, this flavorful Italian rice will add something special to any meal.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that this recipe is so easy to make. This dish is packed with flavor. Chicken stock (or soup) adds volume and richness to rice. Combined with some herbs, this rice takes your weekday dinner to the next level.

A quick note about the herbs used in this recipe: You can use fresh or dried herbs (or both!) in this recipe.

If using dried herbs, add them to the pot as soon as the rice begins to cook. If using fresh herbs, remove rice from heat before mixing. Waiting until the end before adding herbs makes a big difference with fresh herbs.

Oh, and don’t make the same mistake you made when you first made this recipe. If you’re using store-bought chicken stock/soup, be sure to adjust the amount of salt you use accordingly. Believe me, you don’t want your rice to be too salty. Therefore, check the taste of the rice before adding salt.

herb rice

• jasmine rice
• chicken stock or soup
• chopped fresh or dried basil
• chopped fresh or dried thyme
• chopped fresh oregano or dried oregano
• butter
• kosher salt (be sure to reduce this amount if using store-bought chicken broth)
• black pepper
• chopped fresh Italian parsley

italian rice recipe

First, mix the rice, chicken stock, and dried herbs in a large pot. Stir and bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat and cover.

Simmer over low heat for 16 minutes with the lid on, keeping an eye on the frying pan. All the water should be absorbed and the rice should be soft. Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat, add fresh herbs if using, and stir.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of butter, mix and fluff with a fork. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with parsley at the end and serve.

This recipe goes well with this lemon garlic and herb halibut and this 15 minute honey garlic chicken. Before I knew it, dinner was on the table.

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Easy to make and versatile, this simple Asian rice recipe is one you’ll never get tired of. Perfect for Asian style meals. Similarly, a Mexican-style meal will be delicious in no time with this easy Spanish rice.

{Initial publication date April 2, 2013 – recipe notes and photos updated June 13, 2023}