Quick & Zesty Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Garlic parmesan rice elevates ordinary grains into a luxurious side dish that sparks culinary excitement.

Home cooks adore this simple yet sophisticated recipe that elevates basic ingredients.

Creamy, aromatic, and packed with bold flavors, this dish brings restaurant-quality magic to your dinner table.

Fragrant garlic infuses each grain with intense, savory notes that dance across your palate.

parmesan cheese creates a rich, slightly nutty undertone that melts seamlessly into fluffy rice.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum deliciousness, proving that simple cooking can yield extraordinary results.

Rich and comforting, this recipe promises to become a staple in your meal rotation.

Elevate Rice Night with Garlic Parmesan Rice

• Elevate Comfort Food: This garlic parmesan rice transforms a simple side dish into a luxurious, flavor-packed experience that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Quick and Easy Cooking: Whip up this delectable rice in just 25 minutes with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of browned garlic, rich parmesan, and fresh parsley creates a multi-layered taste profile that makes every bite exciting and memorable.
• Creamy Textural Delight: The addition of milk and chicken broth ensures a creamy, tender rice with a velvety smooth consistency that melts in your mouth.

Your Garlic Parmesan Rice Ingredient List

• Rice: White rice is the core of this dish, providing a fluffy and soft base for the flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and savory richness to the rice, enhancing its overall taste.
• Milk: Creates a creamy texture and helps to soften the rice during cooking.

• Butter, Garlic: Butter provides richness while garlic delivers a sharp, aromatic flavor that infuses the entire dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a salty, nutty taste with a classic Italian cheese profile.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings a bright, clean finish and subtle green color to the rice.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the other ingredients, with pepper adding a mild heat.

Cooking Rice with Garlic and Parmesan Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Butter and Garlic Base

Grab a saucepan and place it over medium heat. Melt butter until it starts to shimmer. Add minced garlic and sauté until it turns golden and releases a delightful aroma, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 2: Combine Rice and Liquid Ingredients

• Rice
• Chicken broth
• Milk
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 3: Simmer and Cover

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Place a tight-fitting lid on the saucepan and reduce heat to low, creating a cozy cooking environment for the rice.

Step 4: Cook Rice to Perfection

Allow the rice to cook undisturbed for 18 to 20 minutes. The rice should become tender and absorb most of the liquid, creating a creamy texture.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Herbs

Remove the saucepan from heat. Sprinkle in freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Gently fluff the rice with a fork, ensuring the cheese and herbs are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the aromatic rice to a serving dish. Serve immediately while warm, letting the rich flavors and creamy texture delight your taste buds.

Pro Tips for Fluffy Flavorful Garlic Rice

• Choose Fresh Garlic: Select plump, firm garlic cloves for the most intense and robust flavor in your rice dish.
• Control Butter Browning: Watch the garlic carefully while sautéing to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste.
• Liquid Ratio Matters: Use precise measurements of chicken broth and milk to ensure perfectly cooked, creamy rice.
• Rest After Cooking: Let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking to allow moisture to distribute evenly.
• Cheese Timing: Add parmesan cheese off the heat to maintain its smooth texture and prevent clumping or becoming grainy.

Keep Garlic Parmesan Rice Moist on Reheat

• Refrigerate: Store leftover rice in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chilled for 3-4 days maximum to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Microwave Reheating: Sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle until warmed thoroughly. Stir gently to prevent rice from becoming dry or clumpy.
• Stovetop Revival: Revive cold rice by adding a splash of chicken broth or water in a pan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and restore original creamy texture. Add extra parmesan cheese if desired for renewed flavor.

Perfect Pairings for Garlic Parmesan Rice

• Pair with Roasted Chicken: The creamy, garlicky rice perfectly complements the savory flavors of roasted chicken, creating a comforting and satisfying meal that will make your taste buds dance.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness of the parmesan and provides a refreshing contrast to the buttery rice.
• Serve alongside Grilled Vegetables: Colorful roasted or grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus add a light, fresh element that balances the rich, cheesy rice, making the dish more nutritious and exciting.
• Complete with Herb-Crusted Fish: Delicate white fish like cod or halibut with a light herb crust creates a elegant pairing that highlights the garlic and parmesan notes in the rice.

Creative Twists on Garlic Parmesan Rice

• Cheesy Mediterranean: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and add crumbled feta cheese instead of parmesan. Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest: Incorporate diced green chilies and replace parmesan with pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle in ground cumin and cilantro to enhance the southwestern kick.
• Herbed Mushroom: Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms with garlic before adding rice. Use half chicken broth and half white wine for deeper flavor. Finish with thyme and extra parmesan for a rich, earthy variation.
• Coconut Curry: Swap milk with coconut milk and add mild curry powder. Use vegetable broth and garnish with toasted coconut flakes and green onions for a tropical-inspired rice dish.

Garlic Parmesan Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic parmesan rice brings Mediterranean comfort to your dinner table with minimal effort. Creamy, cheesy grains infused with aromatic garlic create a perfect side dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 8 ounces (237 ml) chicken broth
• 8 ounces (237 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Heat a saucepan over medium flame and melt butter until it becomes golden and aromatic, releasing a nutty fragrance that signals the perfect cooking temperature.
2. Introduce minced garlic to the melted butter, gently sautéing until edges turn light brown and emit a rich, pungent scent that promises delectable flavor.
3. Pour rice into the pan, allowing each grain to become coated with the buttery garlic essence before adding chicken broth, milk, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir the mixture thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are well integrated and evenly distributed throughout the pan.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer quietly, transforming into a creamy, tender delight.
6. Allow the rice to cook undisturbed for approximately 18-20 minutes, monitoring the liquid absorption and grain tenderness.
7. Once the rice reaches a perfect consistency with most liquid absorbed, remove from heat and let it rest momentarily.
8. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the warm rice, followed by a delicate scattering of chopped parsley.
9. Gently fluff the rice with a fork, incorporating the cheese and herbs to create a light, airy texture that promises a delicious side dish.
10. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy while warm, letting the garlic and parmesan flavors dance on your palate.

Notes

• Perfectly toasts garlic in butter to release maximum flavor before adding rice, creating a rich aromatic base.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent overseasoning.
• Stir rice occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even heat distribution.
• Fresh parsley adds bright, fresh notes that complement the rich, cheesy texture.
• Gently fluff rice with a fork to maintain light, fluffy texture and prevent compacting.
• Serves best immediately while cheese is melted and rice is warm and creamy.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg