Name: Creamy Parmesan Rice
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup long grain white rice (NOT brown OR quick cook rice); 4 tablespoons butter; 1 small onion (finely diced); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste); 1 1/4 cups chicken stock (can use chicken broth); 1 1/2 cups milk (2% used) (DIVIDED); 1 tablespoon lemon juice (+ zest from half of the lemon); 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

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Creamy Parmesan Rice – easy rice recipe – creamy-cheesy like risotto with a light lemony flavor. It whips up in minutes for the perfect side dish with chicken, seafood or beef!

If you’re looking for the ideal side dish this is it. It’s loaded with incredible flavors, has a creamy texture and goes with almost any protein.

It whips up in minutes from a handful of ingredients and this cheesy goodness takes plain white rice to the next level.

Why I love this recipe:

This simple rice dish is a great option to plain rice and cooks in about the same time.
The cheesy, creamy consistency is one the whole family will enjoy.
Doesn’t contain Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken soup – just whole, simple ingredients.
It’s an easy rice side dish that goes with almost anything.
Enjoy as a main dish – just add shrimp or leftover chicken.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE CREAMY PARMESAN RICE?

Full ingredient list and amounts in the printable recipe card below:

long grain white rice: the base for this recipe
butter: to toast the rice and onion
seasonings: garlic powder, salt and fresh parsley
chicken stock: adds flavor to the rice when simmered in it
milk: adds creaminess to the rice
lemon juice and lemon zest: for bright, zesty flavor
finely grated parmesan cheese for flavor and cheesy goodness.

What kind of rice is best for this recipe?

This recipe has been tested using long grain rice or arborio rice.

I don’t recommend minute rice, instant rice, quick-cook rice or brown rice as cooking time and liquid amounts will vary.

How to make Creamy Parmesan Rice:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat to medium-low heat. Add finely diced onion then cook 2-3 minutes or until onions have softened (not browned).

Add uncooked rice, garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt stirring to coat the rice in butter. Cook 1 minute.

Pour in the chicken stock and 1 1/4 cups of milk (reserving the remaining 1/4 cup) then cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes covered, stirring occasionally. You’re looking for a light simmer – too high of heat will absorb the liquid before the rice is cooked.

NOTE: cooking time may vary with the size of the pan used. If your rice isn’t tender, continue cooking another 1-2 minutes watching closely.

Turn off the heat then stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of of milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, parmesan cheese and 1/2 tablespoon of parsley.

Taste and adjust salt if necessary then garnish with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of parsley and serve right away.

Best main dishes with Creamy Parmesan Rice:

This creamy rice makes the perfect side to almost anything including everything you see below.

lemon garlic butter sea scallops on white platter on a bed of risotto

pork tenderloin is what to serve with butternut squash

Lemon Garlic Scallops – golden, pan seared sea scallops drizzled with a delicious lemon garlic butter sauce – on the table in 10 minutes!

Air Fryer Salmon – make perfectly cooked, delicious salmon every time in just 10 minutes. Juicy inside, lightly crispy outside and loaded with healthy flavor.

Honey Balsamic Pork Tenderloin – the entire meal cooks in just 20 minutes in a skillet! Tender, juicy pork with an outrageously good glaze. Easy, any night meal.

gray plate with crispy breaded cod, french fries and lemon wedges

overhead sliced steak drizzled with basil chimichurri

Crispy Baked Cod – fresh cod breaded with a seasoned panko-parmesan cheese blend baked until flaky, crispy and golden.

Chimichurri Steak – marinated flank steak grilled to tender, juicy perfection drizzled homemade basil chimichurri for an easy, Argentinian meal.

Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken – crispy parmesan-panko breading outside, juicy chicken breast inside. Cooks in under 15 minutes!

Simple subs and variations to this recipe:

Chicken broth, vegetable broth or vegetable stock can be used instead.
Add leftover or rotisserie chicken to this easy rice side dish for a simple main dish on busy nights.
Substitute heavy cream for milk using 1/2 cup of cream and an extra 1/2 cup of stock for an even creamier rice dish,.
Wilt in fresh chopped spinach while the rice is cooking (if using frozen, be sure to thoroughly drain liquid from it).
Try cheddar cheese instead of parmesan that’ll give it more of a Mac and Cheese taste the kids will love.
Add other fresh herbs like fresh chopped dill or thyme.

How to store leftover rice:

Package leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the micro – add a splash of milk or stock if necessary.

Enjoy!

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