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Just add 5 minutes and 2 ingredients to your regular rice cooking process, and have the best creamy rice ever. Everyone loves this buttery rice that's loaded with so much flavor, and there's a vegan option included.

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Why you will love this recipe
- Almost as quick & easy as regular rice - but with so much more taste. Well worth the 5 extra minutes!
- Just 3 ingredients: rice, butter or olive oil, and some kind of broth
- Minimal prep - just rinse the rice and prepare the broth
- The best rice ever - take it from someone who didn't even like rice before this creamy rice came along
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Rice - you can use both brown and white rice, just check the package for cooking time and the ratio of rice to liquid
- Butter can be substituted for olive oil, or for another type of vegetable oil
- Chicken broth can be substituted for vegetable broth* or any other broth. Make your own or use bouillon cubes or bouillon powder.
How to make it
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat
- Add in the rice
- Fry the rice for 2-3 minutes, mixing often, until all or almost all of the butter has been absorbed
- Add the chicken broth
- Bring to a simmer, cover and turn the heat down to low
- Simmer for 20 minutes or until all or most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving your creamy rice.
Tips & tricks
- For a vegan version of creamy rice use olive oil and vegetable broth
- Pair the flavor with what you are serving with it - for chicken, use chicken stock, for fish, use fish or seafood stock, for red meat, use a beef stock
- Follow the instructions for your rice for the ratio rice vs liquid and cook time, as this can vary between different types of rice and even just different brands
- Cooking creamy rice in a frying pan instead of a pot to help it cook more evenly and reduce the risk of burning the rice or having it turn out too dry
- Let the butter really soak into the rice before adding the broth
- Cook time can vary with the type of rice you are using - please check the specific cook time for your rice
- If the liquid is absorbed too quickly - for example if the heat is too high - just add more broth, or regular water
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can use either. However, brown rice generally requires a bit more liquid and a slightly longer cook time. Please check the package and adjust the recipe so you use the same amount of liquid and the same cook time recommended for the rice you are using.
If your rice comes out undercooked but the liquid has all been absorbed, just add a bit more liquid (water or broth) and place it back over the heat.
Yes, you can - but olive oil is a better substitute if you have it.
How to serve it
Rice is the perfect side for an easy dinner - especially when you have a great sauce to go with it. And this creamy rice is no exception! But unlike plain rice, this creamy rice dish is delicious even without sauce. Serve it with your favorite dishes - I love it with baked chicken drumsticks, lemon pepper salmon, chinese chicken with oranges and feta stuffed chicken.
More quick & easy side dishes
Love quick & easy sides, like this Creamy Rice? Then I think you will love these options!
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Smashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Creamy French Potato Salad
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Creamy Rice with Butter & Chicken Broth
Print RateIngredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup long grain rice rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth hot
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat.2 tablespoon butter
- Add the rice and fry for 2-3 minutes until most, or all, of the butter has been absorbed.1 cup long grain rice
- Pour in the hot chicken broth, then bring to a simmer, cover, and lower the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes or until all or most of the liquid is gone and the rice is cooked through. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.2 cups chicken broth
Equipment needed for this recipe
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Rice - you can use both brown and white rice, just check the package for cooking time and the ratio of rice to liquid
- Butter can be substituted for olive oil, or for another type of vegetable oil
- Chicken broth can be substituted for vegetable broth* or any other broth. Make your own or use bouillon cubes or bouillon powder.
Tips & tricks
- For a vegan version use olive oil and vegetable broth
- Pair the flavor with what you are serving with it - for chicken, use chicken stock, for fish, use fish or seafood stock, for red meat, use a beef stock
- Follow the instructions for your rice for the ratio rice vs liquid and cook time, as this can vary between different types of rice and even just different brands
- Cooking it in a frying pan instead of a pot to help it cook more evenly and reduce the risk of burning the rice or having it turn out too dry
- Let the butter really soak into the rice before adding the broth
- Cook time can vary with the type of rice you are using - please check the specific cook time for your rice
- If the liquid is absorbed too quickly - for example if the heat is too high - just add more broth, or regular water
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Jen
Kid approved, which is the biggest win in my book. They said it "tastes like popcorn"!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Love that!! Thanks Jen.
Mahy
Rice... someone may think it is too easy to make it, but it is actually one of those recipes that you have to really master. Yours looks amazing!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you, Mahy!
Armando
I just made this recipe and it was great. My family were big fans. I used knorr chicken bullion for mine.
Liz
This is my favorite kind of comfort food! Simple but so delicious! Just what I needed during this crazy weekend!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Great to hear. thank you Liz!
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites
This rice is such a great staple recipe to keep on hand. We serve it as a side with soooo may different main dishes - delicious!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Lauren! Same here!
Jen
Thank you for including a vegan option. This was absolutely ah-mazing!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Of course, happy it helped you Jen! Just as delicious vegan as non-vegan in my opinion!
Danielle
I am always on the lookout for another rice recipe. It is amazing how many new things you can learn every time you try a new recipe.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Agree Danielle, one of the best reasons to try new recipes in my opinion!