The versatility of rice knows no limits. Whether you want to whip up a nutritious, filling lunch, a luxurious dinner or a sweet dessert, this food will find its place in just about anything. So if you are a fan of this grain and are looking for ideas on how to prepare it deliciously, try cooking these simple, healthy recipes.
These quick and easy tips will give you plenty of inspiration for turning this seemingly humble ingredient into delicious savoury and sweet dishes that are ideal for lunch, but also for dinner. They are also healthy, nutritious and filling meals.
Table of contents
Savoury rice
Rice appears in a wide variety of dishes. Besides being a very popular side dish for countless types of meals, it can also make up the largest part of a main course. Rice really can be prepared in many different ways. Just use your favourite ingredients (or whatever you happen to have at home) and a great meal is on the table.
In most recipes, the rice is cooked first and only then are other ingredients stirred in, such as vegetables, meat, seafood, mushrooms, olives and so on. Cream or various kinds of cheese will beautifully soften and enhance its flavour. You can serve the dish straight away or bake it in the oven as well.
1. Chicken risotto with peas
Risotto made this way is a very popular dish in the Czech Republic. It differs from the Italian version in its drier consistency. Surely every one of you has tasted this typical kind of risotto at some point in your life. And if not, don’t hesitate and try the following very simple yet truly tasty version of risotto with chicken and peas.
You will need
- 1 onion,
- 500 g chicken breasts,
- 400 g uncooked rice,
- 1 large tin of peas,
- paprika, salt and pepper to taste,
- oil for frying.
Peel the onion, chop it finely and fry it in a little oil until translucent. Then add the chicken cut into smaller pieces, fry briefly, then pour in some water and simmer over a low heat for about 30 minutes. Top up with water if needed.
Meanwhile, cook the rice. Then add it to the meat and onion. Drain the tin of peas and add them to the rice mixture. Colour with paprika, season and serve. It tastes great with grated cheese and a pickled gherkin.
💡 Tip: You can also add mushrooms (tinned, fresh or dried) to the risotto, or use other kinds of tinned or frozen vegetables.
2. Chinese-style chicken with rice
Chinese-style chicken is another popular classic that many people like to make. What makes it great is its versatility, as everyone can adapt the dish to their own taste, and also its quick and easy preparation. Above all, don’t forget to add the right spices and seasonings so that this lunch really tastes and smells ‘Asian’.
You will need
- 1 onion,
- 500 g chicken breasts,
- 1 leek,
- a bag of frozen Chinese vegetable mix,
- 2 cloves of garlic,
- soy sauce to taste,
- about 2 tablespoons of water,
- Chinese spice mix to taste,
- 1 tablespoon of starch,
- olive oil,
- 200 g uncooked rice.
Cut the chicken breasts into cubes and mix them with the Chinese spice mix and starch so that all the pieces are nicely coated. Peel the onion and chop it finely, and slice the leek into thin rings.
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and sear the chicken over a high heat. Then add the vegetables and chopped garlic, and pour in the soy sauce and about 2 tablespoons of water. Stir and let the vegetables soften (about 10–15 minutes).
Finally, you can season with salt, pepper or chilli. Serve with cooked rice, but Chinese-style chicken also tastes great with pasta or Chinese noodles.
💡 Tip: Because chicken contains plenty of protein and no carbohydrates, it is a great fit for the keto diet or low-carb eating.
3. Porcupine meatballs
In this recipe, rice gives classic meatballs not only a fun look resembling a porcupine, but also a great texture. The meatballs are then baked in passata.
You will need
- 750 g minced meat,
- 250 g uncooked long-grain rice,
- 125 ml milk,
- ½ onion, finely chopped,
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley (plus extra for garnish),
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce,
- ½ teaspoon garlic granules,
- salt and pepper to taste,
- 2 tablespoons olive oil,
- 2 cartons of passata.
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
In a bowl, thoroughly mix the minced meat, rice, milk, onion, parsley, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into balls.
Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the meatballs on all sides until golden (about 10 minutes). Transfer the meatballs to a plate.
Pour the passata and the remaining teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce into a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Then add the meatballs and cover with a lid or foil.
Bake until the rice is soft, about 40 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through (about another 15 minutes).
Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
4. Pizza rice
Think of this dish as a pizza with a different carbohydrate base, using rice instead of a ‘bread base’. It is still a delicious meal, and you don’t have to wait for the dough to rise or fuss with it in any other way. You can use any kind of rice, and the other ingredients are up to your taste.
You will need
For the fried rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil,
- 5 cloves of garlic,
- ¾ teaspoon onion granules,
- salt and pepper to taste,
- ½ teaspoon paprika,
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning,
- 2 tablespoons passata,
- 200 g uncooked rice,
- 100 g grated Parmesan.
For the sauce
- the rest of the passata,
- 1 large clove of garlic, crushed,
- salt and pepper to taste,
- ¼ teaspoon paprika,
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
For the topping
- 240 g grated mozzarella,
- 50 g grated Parmesan,
- 100 g ham,
- pizza seasoning,
- fresh basil leaves.
First, prepare the fried rice. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add the crushed garlic, onion, pepper, salt, paprika and Italian seasoning and fry for about 2 minutes. Then pour in the passata and the remaining tablespoon of oil and fry until the rice starts to turn slightly crispy (around 10 minutes). Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and stir in the Parmesan thoroughly.
Preheat the oven to 200°C and prepare the sauce. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients until well combined.
Then assemble the ‘pizza’: place the fried rice in a baking dish and spread the tomato sauce evenly over it. Then top with the ham and sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Finally, sprinkle with pizza seasoning.
Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese melts and the edges turn golden. Garnish with basil leaves before serving.
When layering, feel free to add mushrooms, olives, sweetcorn or anything else you like on a pizza.
5. Chicken curry with garlic rice
A hearty and tasty meal that is ready in no time. Chicken breasts in a curry and ginger yoghurt sauce give your meat an amazing flavour. Combined with garlic and curry rice, spinach and pickled onion, this dish deserves a place among your regular recipes.
You will need
- 1 red onion,
- juice of 1 lime,
- salt to taste,
- olive oil,
- 3 cloves of garlic,
- 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger,
- 2½ tablespoons curry powder,
- ground pepper to taste,
- 1 tin of coconut milk (400 ml),
- 200 g uncooked rice,
- 250 g fresh spinach,
- 300 g Greek yoghurt,
- 500 g chicken breasts.
Thinly slice ¼ of the onion and put it in a bowl with the lime juice, season with salt and stir to combine. Use the back of a spoon to crush the onion against the side of the bowl (this helps it soak up the juice faster). Chop the remaining onion and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion and fry until translucent. Then add half of the crushed garlic, half of the ginger and 1 tablespoon of curry powder and stir for a moment. Next, pour in the coconut milk and bring to the boil. Finally, add the rice, bring back to the boil, cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until the rice is soft. When the rice is cooked, stir in the spinach and cook until it wilts.
Meanwhile, mix the yoghurt, the remaining garlic, ginger, curry powder and ground pepper in a bowl. Season with a little salt and use a brush to spread the yoghurt mixture over the chicken.
Cut the chicken into slices. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the meat on both sides until golden.
Serve the rice and chicken in bowls or deep plates and top with the lime-pickled onion. You can also garnish with coriander before serving.
6. Mexican rice
This side dish, full of exotic flavour and vegetables, livens up classic rice, and it is also truly addictive. Besides being an excellent side dish for meat, you can also use it in a burrito or salad, or simply enjoy it on its own with a fried egg.
You will need
- 3 tablespoons olive oil,
- 2 carrots,
- 1 green pepper,
- 1 onion,
- 3 cloves of garlic,
- 300 g uncooked rice,
- 2 tablespoons tomato purée,
- 750 ml stock or water,
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes,
- 1 pack of passata,
- ground cumin, oregano, salt and pepper to taste.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the finely chopped carrot, pepper, onion and garlic until the onion turns translucent. Then add the rice and tomato purée and cook, stirring constantly, until the grains are toasted (2 to 3 minutes).
Pour in the stock, the drained chopped tomatoes and the passata, and season with the spices. Bring to the boil, cover and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until the rice is soft and the liquid has been absorbed.
Before serving, you can also stir in some coriander.
7. Baked rice with ham and cheese
A tasty meal ready in a few minutes? That is exactly what baked rice with ham and cheese is. You can adjust the quantities and ingredients to suit your taste. If, for example, you prefer more cheese or a different kind, feel free to make it the way you like, because you certainly cannot go wrong. You can also add mushrooms or other favourite ingredients and fine-tune your baked rice to perfection.
You will need
- 400 g uncooked rice,
- 100 g grated mozzarella,
- 100 g ham,
- 1 carrot,
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley,
- 2 eggs,
- 250 ml milk,
- 150 g cream cheese (such as Gervais),
- 1 cup grated Parmesan,
- salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the rice in your favourite usual way. Then mix it with the grated mozzarella, chopped ham, grated carrot, chopped parsley, eggs beaten into the milk, cream cheese and half a cup of the grated Parmesan. Finally, season with salt and pepper.
Spread the mixture in an ovenproof dish that you have greased beforehand.
Bake in an oven preheated to 200 °C for about 30 minutes. Just before the end, sprinkle the top with the remaining Parmesan and bake until golden.
Sweet rice
Rice can also be prepared in a sweet way, which tends to be popular especially with children, but also with many adults. Prepared like this, it tastes great for breakfast or lunch, and it will also satisfy a sweet tooth wonderfully as a dessert.
These are very simple and among the cheaper dishes. Even an ordinary sweet meal can be turned into a truly first-class delicacy. The base is, of course, rice cooked in any kind of milk. It is usually topped up with fruit and other tasty ingredients.
8. Rice pudding bake
This sweet rice dish is sometimes greatly underrated. It is often put in the category of boring “school” lunches. In reality, however, it is an easy and tasty dish that will please anyone with a sweet tooth. And it can also be made in a healthier way that still keeps its delicious flavour.
You will need
- 200 g rice,
- 750 ml milk,
- a pinch of salt,
- 50 g erythritol,
- 100 g butter (+ extra for greasing),
- 3 eggs,
- any fruit to taste (apples, apricots, plums, etc.),
- cinnamon.
Rinse the rice in water, then cook it in the milk with the sweetener and a pinch of salt until soft (about 15 to 20 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Stir the butter into the still warm cooked rice and leave the mixture to cool to room temperature. Separate the yolks from the whites and add the yolks to the cooled rice. Whisk the whites into stiff peaks and fold them in at the end.
Put half of the mixture into a greased ovenproof dish, layer the fruit on top, dust with cinnamon, add nuts and quark if you like, and finish with the rest of the rice.
Bake at 180 °C for about 50 minutes and enjoy the pudding warm, or cooled if you prefer.
9. Milk rice
Various porridges are great especially for breakfast, but they can also make another fantastic and filling meal of the day. If you are craving a sweet lunch, try this milk rice version, for example. You will see that it satisfies you perfectly. It tastes excellent both warm and cold.
You will need (2 servings)
- 150 g uncooked rice,
- 500 ml milk,
- a pinch of salt.
Optional for serving
- honey, chicory syrup or another sweetener,
- regular or nut butter/nuts,
- quark, Greek yoghurt or skyr (for protein)
- your favourite fruit,
- cinnamon, cocoa, gingerbread spice, etc.
Rinse the rice and put it in a pan with about 300 ml of the milk and the salt. Bring to the boil and cook for roughly another 15 minutes, until the rice is nice and soft. Remember to stir occasionally throughout the cooking time.
Add the rest of the milk gradually during cooking, as the milk rice thickens over time.
At the end, you can stir in your chosen sweetener or even your favourite flavour of protein powder, which sweetens the rice and adds protein too. Then simply transfer it to plates or bowls, decorate with whatever you like and enjoy.
Rice is a very versatile and tasty ingredient that you can turn into a filling lunch, dinner, breakfast, dessert or a simple side dish. Try including it in your diet more often and you will see that it does not disappoint. There are also many types of rice, so focus on choosing the right one that you like best and that offers certain benefits.
