Garlic Basmati Rice

Skip the plain, unseasoned white rice and instead opt for flavorful Garlic Basmati Rice. The bold flavors of oregano and garlic, combined with rich and creamy butter, create a side dish that you will be having seconds and thirds of.

A simple side dish like cooked rice can be effortlessly upgraded with flavorful additions like butter, garlic, dried oregano, and fresh parsley. Take the flavor a step further, and cook your Garlic Basmati Rice in chicken broth instead of plain water!

Basmati rice is light, fluffy, and has a slightly nutty flavor. It'll pair well with chicken, fish, pork, and most vegetarian recipes.

So the next time you're making Baked Panko Chicken, Roast Chicken with Garlic Butter, or Blackened Pork Chops, throw a pot of this delicious Garlic Basmati Rice on the stove!

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients
• Equipment needed
• How to make Garlic Basmati Rice
• What to serve with
• Variations and substitutions
• Expert tips
• How to store, freeze and reheat
• What is the difference between Jasmine and Basmati rice?
• Easy sides you might also like
• 📖 Recipe
• Hungry for more?
• 💬 Comments

Why you'll love this recipe

• This is a versatile recipe that pairs well with just about any cuisine!
• My Garlic Basmati Rice recipe takes boring, plain rice and turns it into rich, garlicky, and fresh-flavored basmati rice!
• Basmati rice is naturally gluten-free and low in fat. You can easily make this a vegetarian recipe by subbing vegetable broth in for the chicken broth.
• Basmati rice is quick-cooking and will easily be done at the same time as the rest of the meal!

Ingredients

• White basmati rice - Basmati rice is a variety of long-grain rice grown in the Himalayas and Pakistan. It has a nutty flavor and a firm texture. Basmati rice can be brown or white. I used Carolina White Basmati.
• Low-sodium chicken broth - You can use store-bought or homemade chicken broth. If you don't have low-sodium chicken broth on hand, you may want to reduce the amount of salt called for in this recipe.
• Butter - Butter adds depth and flavor to the dish and will absorb into the rice while it's cooking.
• Seasonings - You'll need garlic powder, dried oregano, coarse kosher salt, and fresh parsley.

Equipment needed

• Small saucepan or pot with a tight-fitting lid to cook the rice in.
• Measuring cups & measuring spoons
• A small cutting board and chopping knife are needed to chop the fresh parsley. Kitchen scissors would also work!

How to make Garlic Basmati Rice

Step 1: Bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil on the stove.

Step 2: Stir in 1 cup of basmati rice, butter, salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano into the boiling chicken broth.

*Note - Most varieties of basmati rice will instruct you to cook 1 cup of rice in 2 cups of liquid. Refer to the package instructions on the brand of rice that you are using to make this recipe. Adjust the amount of liquid if needed.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook over low heat for 18-20 minutes.

Step 4: Uncover, remove from heat, fluff the rice with a fork, and let it cool slightly before serving. Mix fresh parsley into the cooked rice, or simply sprinkle it on top like a garnish.

What to serve with

Chicken: Basmati rice with garlic and parsley pairs well with Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast, Honey Butter Garlic Chicken, BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, and Buffalo Chicken Thighs.

Fish: If you're serving fish for dinner then you can serve rice alongside Baked Panko Cod, Blackened Cod, Pesto Crusted Salmon, or Air Fryer Frozen Salmon.

Pork: Basmati rice goes well with Pulled Pork, Blackened Pork Chops, and Pork Tenderloin!

Variations and substitutions

Rice: My recipe calls for white basmati rice. You could use brown basmati rice instead. If you don't have basmati, then jasmine rice would be a good substitute.

Herbs: Try this recipe out with dried Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried parsley, and different fresh herbs like fresh basil and fresh oregano.

Butter: If you don't want to use butter, then you could use extra virgin olive oil instead.

Parsley Rice: This recipe is similar to the popular Parsley Rice recipes. You can use this recipe as a base, and increase the fresh parsley to ¼ to ½ cups. Mix the fresh parsley in at the end of cooking time.

Expert tips

• Double-check your rice packaging to make sure the same ratio of liquid to rice is recommended as I have recommended in this recipe. It is usually a 2:1 liquid-to-rice ratio. However, you never know when a package could recommend something different for its specific brand.
• Don't remove the lid when cooking your rice! I know how tempting it is to check under the lid to see how the rice is doing. However, steam is very important in the cooking process and if you remove the lid, all the steam will escape.
• It's highly recommended that you rinse your rice prior to cooking. Rinsing the rice removes excess starch from the outside of the grains. The excess starch can cause the rice to get sticky and gummy. To rinse rice, pour it into a fine mesh strainer and run cold water over it for a minute or two or until the water runs clear.

How to store, freeze and reheat

How to store: Store leftover Garlic Basmati Rice in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How to freeze: Cooked rice freezes really well. Transfer the cooked rice into a plastic, zip-top, freezer bag. Squeeze out any air before sealing, and lay the rice flat in the freezer. Freeze rice for up to 6 months.

How to reheat: Reheat leftover rice in the microwave in 1-2 minute increments, stirring between each increment.

What is the difference between Jasmine and Basmati rice?

Jasmine rice has shorter and fatter grains compared to Basmati rice, which is longer and thinner. Jasmine rice has a soft, sticky texture when cooked. Basmati rice does not get sticky, and instead, the grains stay distinctly apart. Both types of rice have a nutty flavor and are often used interchangeably in recipes.

Easy sides you might also like

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