Chimichurri Rice is an excellent and simple side dish with so much flavor mixed all together in just one pot.
Rich with seasoning and herbs, each spoonful of this Chimichurri Rice ensures a flavorful taste. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal idea, you will never be disappointed with this recipe.
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Why Does This Recipe Work?
- You can already enjoy a bowl of this dish within 20 minutes of waiting. Imagine how convenient it would be to come home from work so tired and have this recipe on standby.
- This is a recipe of simple and easy instructions to follow. No room for failure, and it is completely fool-proof, all thanks to its quick-to-follow instructions.
- An ideal side dish, whatever time of the day it is. This is a perfect side dish to your breakfast menu and can also be a satiating lunch at home. Dinner after a busy day would feel so rewarding with this dish on the table as well.
- Most ingredients of this chimichurri rice recipe are pantry-staple, so you can definitely make this dish without ruining your budget.
- It is a delicious meal that is so flexible to serve as it can go well with almost any vegetable or meat dish.
- This is a one-pot recipe filled with so much flavor and can be turned into delicious and savory comfort food.
- This dish is perfect for meal prep.
What Is Chimichurri Rice Made Of?
Olive Oil. It plays an important role in adding a bright and earthy aroma to your rice, which is undoubtedly plain. Olive oil elevates its flavor and prevents the rice from getting too sticky. However, you may use sunflower oil instead if you like.
Basmati Rice. Basmati rice is the perfect type of rice to use in this kind of recipe as it has long grains and will not appear mushy once combined with other ingredients to make this dish.
Onion. The onion will give this rice dish a rich umami flavor and a subtle sweetness. Don’t forget to add this ingredient, as it indeed heightens the flavor of the dish.
Lemon Juice. Lemon juice is the best enhancer of flavors in this dish as it does not add any fat or other unlikeable taste. It also balances the spice and warmth that seasonings add.
Fresh Ginger. Fresh ginger, once combined with your rice, will impart a spicy, peppery, and mildly hot flavor to the dish.
Garlic. Just like an onion, garlic is an excellent flavoring agent that will boost and balance all the flavors found in this recipe. Your basmati rice will definitely not taste bland but rather savory and delish.
Red Pepper Flakes. If you are a spicy lover, you will definitely love this dish with red pepper flakes in it as it will give a slightly sharp and a little earthy with a decent dose of spice.
Tomato Sauce. It does not only add a luscious color to your plain white basmati rice. Tomato sauce also gives this dish a savory flavor that makes every spoonful so flavorful.
Chicken Stock. Chicken stock gives your dish a subtle meaty flavor that sticks to the rice until it is cooked and ready to serve.
Fresh Cilantro and Parsley. With their fresh and citrusy tastes, fresh cilantro and parsley are indeed two of the best leafy green herbs, perfect to finish the dish before serving.
How to Make Chimichurri Rice?
One: In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat, add onion and rice, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the rice turns lightly brown (stirring frequently).
Two: Stir in the ginger, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, black pepper and lemon juice.
Three: Stir in the tomato sauce and chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and put the lid on the pot and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
Four: Fluff the rice with a fork and then fold in the chopped cilantro and parsley and serve.
Top Tips!
- Make sure that you have chopped the onions finely, and that the garlic is crushed. Onions and garlic done this way will serve as better flavoring agents since their aroma and flavor will be more evident.
- You are using rice as the base ingredient of this dish. Hence you should not overcook it. Overcooking this dish will result in mushy and watery rice that will be undesirable to eat.
- This recipe works great for meal prepping, and you can make more batches of it if you like. Save time and energy by portioning out the extra and freezing it for later meals.
- Wash the fresh cilantro and parsley thoroughly before using them in this dish. Fresh herbs usually collect dirt from being planted on the ground; such dirt will produce an unwanted taste to your dish if not removed properly.
Recipe Variations
- You may use jasmine rice if basmati rice is unavailable. Jasmine rice is also a long grain rice, but once cooked, it will have a fluffy texture compared to basmati rice.
- Add balsamic vinegar to the dish to help the lemon juice complement the tastes of cilantro and other spices.
- Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to make this recipe vegan-friendly. You can also use chicken broth or beef broth.
- Add diced vegetables like zucchini and carrots for more flavor! A bowl of rice and vegetables will already be a complete meal for you to enjoy.
- If you don’t mind adding meat, add some chopped skinless chicken breast to the rice while cooking; the chicken pieces will elevate this dish into a full savory dish of chicken and rice.
- You may add a pinch of salt for a balanced flavor.
- For extra flavor add a pinch of chili flakes.
- To add more color to your dish, add diced red bell pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Chimichurri fried rice is usually served with roasted or grilled meat such as grilled steak. But roasted vegetables like roasted green beans and carrots, crispy roast potatoes with garlic and thyme, and spicy roasted cauliflower will definitely go well with this dish.
Baked chicken poppers and deep fried chicken thigh will be delicious on top of a small bowl of this dish as well if you are looking for something meaty to pair with the savory taste of this rice. You can also serve this flavorful rice with some fresh tomatoes and lime wedges.
Storage
Your leftover Chimichurri Rice can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat before serving.
To Freeze: Freeze any leftover rice in an airtight container and consume within three months. You have to defrost it in the fridge first before reheating it in the microwave until piping hot.
Recipe FAQs
This recipe is called Chimichurri Rice because the rice is cooked with Chimichurri sauce. Chimichurri is a combination of garlic and fresh herbs— commonly cilantro and parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. Many claimed that it originated in South Africa.
Of course! Cut food wastage, and use your leftover white rice for this recipe.
Yes, you can. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
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Recipe
Chimichurri Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups basmati rice , uncooked
- 1 small onion , chopped
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger , grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoon fresh cilantro , chopped
- 3 tablespoon fresh parsley , chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat, add onion and rice, and cook until the rice turns lightly brown (stirring frequently).2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cups basmati rice, 1 small onion
- Stir in the ginger, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, black pepper and lemon juice.½ teaspoon fresh ginger, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Stir in the tomato sauce and chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and put the lid on the pot and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.½ cup tomato sauce, 4 cups chicken stock
- Fluff the rice with a fork and then fold in the chopped cilantro and parsley and serve.3 tablespoon fresh cilantro, 3 tablespoon fresh parsley
Notes
- Make sure that you have chopped the onions finely, and that the garlic is crushed. Onions and garlic done this way will serve as better flavoring agents since their aroma and flavor will be more evident.
- You are using rice as the base ingredient of this dish. Hence you should not overcook it. Overcooking this dish will result in mushy and watery rice that will be undesirable to eat.
- This recipe works great for meal prepping, and you can make more batches of it if you like. Save time and energy by portioning out the extra and freezing it for later meals.
- Wash the fresh cilantro and parsley thoroughly before using them in this dish. Fresh herbs usually collect dirt from being planted on the ground; such dirt will produce an unwanted taste to your dish if not removed properly.
Variations
- You may use jasmine rice if basmati rice is unavailable. Jasmine rice is also a long grain rice, but once cooked, it will have a fluffy texture compared to basmati rice.
- Add balsamic vinegar to the dish to help the lemon juice complement the tastes of cilantro and other spices.
- Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to make this recipe vegan-friendly. You can also use chicken broth or beef broth.
- Add diced vegetables like zucchini and carrots for more flavor! A bowl of rice and vegetables will already be a complete meal for you to enjoy.
- If you don’t mind adding meat, add some chopped skinless chicken breast to the rice while cooking; the chicken pieces will elevate this dish into a full savory dish of chicken and rice.
- You may add a pinch of salt for a balanced flavor.
- For extra flavor add a pinch of chili flakes.
- To add more color to your dish, add diced red bell pepper.
Cathy
Delicious! I added some shrimp to cook with the rice.
Frida
I added a pinch of dried basil, and it turned out amazing.