Who doesn’t love a good pilaf or pilau, right? Aromatic basmati rice cooked in chicken stock until tender yet light and fluffy. You can also add vegetables or meat to it. Pilaf or pilau is not the same as Biryani because Biryani is not cooked in a broth. Check my Chicken Biryani recipe, and you will see that it’s different. My kids love rice, so this is very popular in our home. Add some meat and veggies, throw in some herbs, and it’s a healthy and nutritious meal.
Why make this rice pilaf?
This recipe does not get any easier. It’s a complete meal in less than 20 minutes. It uses simple and easy-to-find ingredients, most of which are pantry staples. The recipe is very versatile and can be customized in so many different ways. More details are below under variations. And you can add veggies, like carrots and frozen peas, to the rice, or you can serve some vegetables as a side dish to make this a complete meal. Try sauteed green beans, asparagus, broccoli, and roasted carrots or squash. Leftovers stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.
Ingredients and substitutes
Shrimps – I use fresh or frozen shrimps, and they take just about 10 to 20 minutes to thaw. You can also use prawns. Ginger and garlic – Onion, ginger, and garlic are an absolute must when making curry. Hence, you will rarely find a recipe that does not have them. So, make sure you buy fresh ginger and garlic for your Indian curries. They will make a huge difference. Onion – I love using sweet red onions and shallots in my rice recipes. And yet, you can use any onion that you have on hand. Whole spices – The whole spices add a warm aroma and flavor and do not make this dish spicy. Do not add too much, as they can be overpowering as well. Cilantro – I love using fresh cilantro. And yet, parsley works just as well.
Skillet shrimp with rice recipe
Soak rice – Wash and soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes. Then, drain and set aside. Clean shrimps – Peel the shrimp and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, season with kosher salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika or red pepper flakes. Set aside. Pan fry shrimps – Add 1 tsp of olive oil or butter to a non-stick pan. Add shrimp and cook on medium-high heat for three minutes. Stir gently, then remove and set them aside.Pro tip – Shrimps need only 3 to 5 minutes to cook. So, cooking them first will ensure they do not overcook and become chewy.
Saute veggies – In a large skillet or Dutch oven, add the remaining oil and whole spices. Saute for 30 seconds. Then, add the onions, ginger, and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent.Pro tip – I like to cook the onions for a bit before adding the garlic and ginger so they do not burn easily. Add rice – Next, add the rice and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly toasted. Then, add the frozen peas and fresh parsley, followed by the chicken broth. Season with salt and black pepper.
Cook – Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cover and cook on a low simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and keep covered for another 10 minutes.Pro tip – Let the rice cook in its residue heat for 10 minutes. This will ensure a light and fluffy rice. Add shrimps – Finally, add the shrimp to the rice and more fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill. Give it a gentle squeeze of lemon juice. Fluff – Fluff the rice with a fork to ensure everything is well combined. Top with more fresh parsley before serving.
Variations
Veggies – You can add more diced vegetables, such as carrots and bell peppers. Spiced shrimps – if you want a little more flavor and spice, season the shrimps with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Cajun shrimps – Instead of sweet paprika, season the shrimps with a teaspoon of cajun seasoning and oregano. Sausage – small sausages are a great addition to the rice. Add 1 cup chopped sausages to the skillet with the rice. Asian flavors – 1 tsp of sesame oil and 2 tbsp of soy sauce sauce add a nice Asian flavor to the rice if you like it.
More rice recipes
Chicken with Rice Pilaf or classic Rice Pilaf Cajun Chicken with Rice Turmeric Rice with Chicken and Peas Coconut Turmeric Rice The BEST Fried Rice recipe Quick One-Pot Vegetable Rice Turmeric Cauliflower Rice Pilaf or Mustard Dill Cauliflower Rice Pilaf See all rice recipes
Frequently asked question
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