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Yellow Rice – Easy Side Dish!

Yellow Rice is the perfect flavorful and colorful side dish for your next dinner! Seasoned with garlic, turmeric, paprika and more, it is a must try.

yellow rice in a white serving dish with lemon and parsley

Yellow Rice Recipe

Yellow Rice is the perfect accompaniment for just about any meal! My favorite thing about this recipe is that it cooks perfectly in a rice cooker or stove top! I’m always on the lookout for ways to make a quick dinner or side so this is the perfect rice cooker recipe.

Simply add all the ingredients to your rice cooker and have no stress fluffy rice. The rice is flavor packed with spices and herbs creating the ultimate side dish. The secret to a bright yellow rice is turmeric!

Pork Souvlaki Recipe plated on blue plate with lemon, parsley, pita bread and yellow rice

I like to serve this rice with my Pork Souvlaki and Tzatziki Sauce for a delicious Greek dinner. Not only is it a delicious dinner it is a beautiful colorful plate. Mediterranean cuisine is just simply delicious!

This yellow rice recipe is one of my family’s favorite side dishes. It is super easy and it goes with almost anything! You can keep it plain or spice it up to go with different meals. My family loves this light and fluffy side dish and you will too!

What is in Yellow Rice?

ingredients to make yellow rice
  • The secret to yellow rice is turmeric! Not only does it add a beautiful color and flavor it has amazing health benefits including it is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. I like sneaking turmeric into any dish where I can.
  • Basmati rice (or long grain rice of choice) is my preferred rice for this yellow rice. It makes the perfect light and fluffy rice that soaks up all the amazing flavors.
  • The spice blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and parsley adds just the right amount of flavor to this rice making it a great side dish or accompaniment to your dinner that is not overpowering.
  • Rather than using just water to cook the rice, chicken broth infuses additional flavor to this dish. Try using bone broth for added health benefits!

How to Make Yellow Rice

Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of Page

steps to make yellow rice

Wash and drain rice 2-3 times or until the water runs almost clear.

Rice Cooker Cooking Method

  • Add washed and drained rice to rice cooker with 2 1/4 cups chicken broth and all remaining ingredients.
  • Stir together until evenly combined.
  • Cook according to your rice cooker instructions.

Stove Top Cooking Method

  • On medium heat in a medium sized sauce pot add the olive oil and rice.
  • Sauté over medium heat until it starts to toast lightly.
  • Stir in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth and all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, lower the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes with the lid on.
  • Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Do not remove the lid of the pot, allow the rice to steam for 15 minutes with the lid on.
  • Remove the lid and use a fork or rice paddle to fluff the rice.

Serve and enjoy!

yellow rice in a white serving dish with lemon and parsley

Rice Flavor Variations

The possibilities for this rice recipe are endless! Mix and match any of these to create the perfect easy yellow rice side dish for your next family meal.

  • Adding frozen peas or carrots to the rice while cooking is an easy way to add color, texture and added nutrients.
  • Make this dish Cajun style by adding diced onion, red and/or green bell pepper and diced jalapeno while sautéing the rice. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning before adding the chicken broth. After the rice is finished cooking you can stir in grilled smoked sausage, shrimp or chicken. Red or black beans make the meal even more hearty and delicious.
  • For a more Indian flair, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, four cardamom pods and a handful of golden raisins before bringing to boil. So yummy!
  • Add this dish to your Mexican feast by adding jalapeno and diced onion to the rice while sautéing and sprinkle with a little cumin before adding the broth.
yellow rice in a white serving dish with lemon and parsley

The Ultimate Greek Dinner

Pair this recipe with 3 more of my favorite Greek dishes for the ultimate Greek feast!

  • Pork Souvlaki – my favorite BBQ skewers! Flavor packed pork marinated with lemon, garlic and aromatic spices. The meat is tender, moist and perfect served in a wrap or on a plate.
  • Garlic Lemon Roasted Potatoes – roasted in garlic lemon broth are the ultimate creamy crispy side dish. Serve with grilled chicken and a Greek salad for a restaurant quality homemade meal!
  • Tzatziki Sauce – one of the most simple and delicious sauces! Tangy greek yogurt seasoned with dill, garlic, lemon and packed with fresh shredded cucumber.

Enjoy!

– Sab

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission.

yellow rice in a white serving dish with lemon and parsley

Yellow Rice

Yellow Rice is the perfect accompaniment for just about any meal! My favorite thing about this recipe is that is cooks perfectly in a rice cooker or stove top! I'm always on the lookout for ways to make a quick dinner or side so this is the perfect rice cooker recipe. Simply add all the ingredients to your rice cooker and have no stress fluffy rice. The rice is flavor packed with spices and herbs creating the ultimate side dish. I like to serve this rice with my Pork Souvlaki and Tzatziki Sauce for a delicious Greek dinner. Not only is it a delicious dinner it is a beautiful colorful plate. My family loves this light and fluffy side dish and you will too!
4.64 from 33 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
Servings 6
Calories 254 kcal

Equipment

  • Rice Cooker for rice cooker cooking method
  • Medium Pot for stove top cooking method

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups basmati rice, or long grain rice of choice
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth, plus 1/4 cup if cooking stove top
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp parsley, fresh or dried
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash and drain rice 2-3 times or until the water runs almost clear.
  • Rice Cooker Cooking Method
    Add washed and drained rice to rice cooker with 2 1/4 cups chicken broth and all remaining ingredients. Stir together until evenly combined.
    Cook according to your rice cooker instructions.
  • Stove Top Cooking Method
    On medium heat in a medium sized sauce pot add the olive oil and rice.
    Sauté over medium heat until it starts to toast lightly. Stir in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth and all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
    Once boiling, lower the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes with the lid on.
    Remove from the heat and set aside. Do not remove the lid of the pot, allow the rice to steam for 15 minutes with the lid on.
    Remove the lid and use a fork or rice paddle to fluff the rice.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

The liquids measurements (chicken broth) in the recipe are specifically for basmati rice. If using other long grain rice add enough liquid as per package cooking instructions.
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NUTRITION

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 714mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
This nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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Recipe Rating




Mariem

Monday 17th of April 2023

This has been a staple in my house ever since you posted it. I thought I would tell you that it is just as delicious using Minute Rice and dumping all the ingredients in with the rice and cooking it for 8 minutes for 2 cups of instant rice. For people looking for a "lazy" way lol

Briana

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

This is a super easy and super tasty side dish that's become one of my staples! (I use veggie broth to keep it vegan/vegetarian.) I use the rice cooker method, and it turns out great every time :)

fedbysab

Thursday 30th of March 2023

Hi Briana, we are so happy to hear you enjoy this recipe. This is one of our favorite side dishes too! :)

Joanne

Sunday 27th of March 2022

My family loved loved this rice. It was so easy to make. It’s my new favourite side rice for a lot of meals.