This easy Instant Pot Rice Pilaf is a perfect weeknight side dish. It only requires a few minutes of hands-on time and is ready in just 20 minutes for a flavorful side dish that goes with almost any meal!
Why this Recipe Works
Rice pilaf is a classic side dish that has been around for centuries. There are countless variations, but it almost always involves cooking rice in a flavorful broth or stock. The mild, nutty flavor pairs perfectly with chicken, beef, pork, and more.
This easy Instant Pot rice pilaf recipe pairs toasted orzo pasta with rice, chicken broth, and seasonings for a flavorful side dish in just 20 minutes. It's a perfect addition to your next meal!
Ingredient Notes
- Orzo - The toasted orzo pasta adds texture and a nutty flavor to this rice pilaf. Vermicelli is another good option.
- Rice - This recipe is designed for long-grain rice like basic white rice, basmati, or jasmine. I use basmati for the mild nutty flavor. Other varieties can be used, but you may need to adjust the amount of water and/or the cooking time if using short-grain rice or whole-grain varieties like brown rice or wild rice.
- Chicken Broth or Stock - Much of the flavor comes from the chicken broth, so be sure to use a good quality, flavorful broth or stock.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat - Set your Instant Pot to Sauté and let it preheat.
- Sauté the Orzo and Rice - Melt the butter in the pot, add the orzo, and cook for around 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Then add the white rice and cook for another minute.
- Add the Flavorings - Turn off the Instant Pot, then add the chicken stock, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and stir to combine.
- Pressure Cook - Lock the lid, set it to manual mode on high pressure, and cook for 3 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then vent any remaining steam before carefully removing the lid.
- Fluff and Serve - Fluff with a fork, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Expert Tips
- You can sauté minced garlic and diced onion with the orzo for additional flavor.
- Toasting the orzo adds a lot of flavor to this basic rice pilaf, so do not skip this step!
- This natural release period is critical for ensuring the rice is cooked through.
- If scaling the recipe, be sure to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 cup of liquid to 1 cup of rice.
Rice Pilaf Additions
This basic pilaf recipe is perfect for add-ins for more flavor. Here are some of my favorites:
- Vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or peas and diced carrots are a perfect addition.
- Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, or dates are classic additions in Turkish and Moroccan cuisines. These versions often add warm, earthy spices like turmeric, cardamom, coriander, and cinnamon.
- Chopped nuts or slivered almonds compliment the nutty flavor of the basmati rice and the toasted orzo.
Serving Suggestions
Rice pilaf is a versatile side dish that goes with almost anything. It's a perfect side dish for a quick and easy meal with my pan-fried boneless pork chops or my air fryer chicken thighs.
It's also great with grilled meats like my grilled lamb kebabs with yogurt marinade or my Greek chicken souvlaki.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To reheat, place the leftovers in a baking dish and cover. Bake in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave by adding a splash of water or broth and loosely covering it with a lid or plastic wrap, then heating it until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend basmati rice for rice pilaf. It is a long-grain rice with a mild nutty flavor and fluffy grains after cooking.
Basic rice is typically cooked in boiling water until it absorbs the liquid, while rice pilaf is typically cooked in stock. Rice pilaf often contains other additions such as small pasta, vegetables, nuts, or dried fruits.
More Instant Pot Side Dish Recipes
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
- ¼ cup dried orzo
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1½ cups unsalted chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to Sauté and let it preheat.
- Melt the butter in the pot, add the orzo, and cook for around 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Then add the white rice and cook for another minute.
- Turn off the Instant Pot, then add the chicken stock, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and stir to combine.
- Lock the lid and set to manual mode on high pressure and cook for 3 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then vent any remaining steam and remove the lid.
- Fluff with a fork, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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