One of my favorite quick side dishes to serve for dinner is a box of yellow rice that I can throw together on my stove top, but I know there are healthier options out there for my family.
This version of Instant Pot rice pilaf only takes a few minutes to prepare and tastes incredible – so much better than any box of rice and it’s just as easy to make!
I love to serve this as a side dish to any meat. Here are some of my favorites to serve it with:
Ingredients needed for Instant Pot Rice Pilaf:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
How to make Instant Pot Rice Pilaf:
Press SAUTE button on Instant Pot and let it heat up. Once hot, add in butter and let it start to melt.
Add the orzo pasta to the pot and cook for 2 minutes or until it starts to lightly brown.
Add the rice to the pot and cook for 3 minutes or until it turns bright white.
Pour in the chicken broth on top of the pasta and rice, then add in the bell peppers, onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Don’t stir the broth in.
Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and move the valve to SEALING.
Press the CANCEL button to turn off the saute function, then press PRESSURE COOK (or the MANUAL button). Set the timer for 3 minutes.
When the timer is finished, allow the pressure to do a NATURAL RELEASE (this will take 10-15 minutes).
Remove the lid and mix the rice/pasta mixture together with all the other ingredients.
If desired, top individual servings with fresh parsley.
Looking for more side dishes? Here are 60 of our favorite Christmas Dinner Sides to eat with Beef Tenderloin!
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Other Rice Side Dishes you’ll want to try:
- Spanish Cauliflower Rice Recipe
- Easy Mexican Salsa Rice (Quick Spanish Rice) Recipe
- Instant Pot Lemon Rice Pilaf
- Parmesan Orzo Side Dish
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Instant Pot Rice Pilaf Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup white rice
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish
Equipment
Instructions
- Press SAUTE button on Instant Pot and let it heat up. Once hot, add in butter and let it start to melt.
- Add the orzo pasta to the pot and cook for 2 minutes or until it starts to lightly brown.
- Add the rice to the pot and cook for 3 minutes or until it turns bright white.
- Pour in the chicken broth on top of the pasta and rice, then add in the bell peppers, onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Don't stir the broth in.
- Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and move the valve to SEALING.
- Press the CANCEL button to turn off the saute function, then press PRESSURE COOK (or the MANUAL button). Set the timer for 3 minutes.
- When the timer is finished, allow the pressure to do a NATURAL RELEASE (this will take 10-15 minutes).
- Remove the lid and mix the rice/pasta mixture together with all the other ingredients.
- If desired, top individual servings with fresh parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
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