Once you make this homemade Rice a Roni recipe it’ll be your family’s new favorite side dish! Fragrant rice and toasted vermicelli noodles cook in chicken broth with a touch of butter and a few seasonings for a fluffy, savory pilaf. It’s easy to make and pairs well with just about anything!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Time for the Rice to Sit Before Fluffing 10 minutesminutes
Add the almonds and ghee to a small skillet over medium heat. Cook until the nuts are light golden and smell toasted, about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and transfer the almonds to a bowl. Set aside.
For the Rice:
Add the oil and butter to a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the vermicelli noodles and cook until lightly toasted, about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the rice and cook until it starts to smell fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to overcook so the noodles don’t burn.
Add the minced dried onion, salt, garlic powder, turmeric, black pepper, and chicken broth, and stir to combine.
Bring it up to a boil, and then cover the saucepan, turn the heat down as low as it will go, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. If the rice has absorbed all the liquid but isn’t tender, add a splash more hot chicken broth or water.
Once cooked, remove from the heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes with the lid on. After that, fluff it with a fork.
Transfer the rice to a serving dish. Sprinkle on the parsley and buttery toasted almonds (if using). Serve.
Video
Notes
Vermicelli Noodle Substitute: If you can’t find these noodles, you can use fideo noodles or angel hair pasta that’s broken into 1-inch pieces.
Oil and Butter Substitute: Instead of 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, you can use 3 tablespoons ghee if desired.
Basmati Rice Substitute: You can use regular long-grain rice instead of basmati.
Vegan Version: Instead of ghee and butter, use olive oil. Instead of chicken broth, use vegetable broth.