Print

Cheesy Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 97 reviews

This Cheesy Rice recipe delivers creamy, flavorful comfort food with tender long grain white rice cooked in a rich mixture of chicken broth, whole milk, butter, and sharp cheddar cheese. Enhanced with sautéed onions and mild paprika, it’s a perfect side dish for a variety of meals and easy to prepare on the stovetop.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice and Liquid

  • 1 cup long grain white rice, not instant or brown
  • 8 ounces chicken broth
  • 8 ounces whole milk

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • ½ small onion, small diced
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Dairy

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Rinse the Rice: Add your rice to a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water to remove surface starches. This prevents the rice from becoming sticky or gummy and helps create fluffy, separate grains when cooked.
  2. Sauté Onions: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the finely diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned around the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. This adds depth of flavor to the rice.
  3. Add Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the rinsed rice, chicken broth, whole milk, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine everything evenly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low—just above off—to gently cook the rice without boiling aggressively.
  4. Cook the Rice: Let the rice cook covered for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid repeatedly to prevent steam from escaping, which can dry out the rice or lengthen cooking time.
  5. Finish with Cheese: Once the rice is tender, remove the pan from heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and gently stir it in, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve warm for best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Cooking Brown Rice: If substituting with brown rice, be aware it will take up to 45 minutes to cook. Follow package instructions and consider adding extra water during cooking to prevent dryness.
  • Liquid to Rice Ratio: This recipe uses a 2:1 liquid to rice ratio (2 cups liquid for 1 cup rice). Keep heat low and avoid lifting the lid to maintain steam. If the rice looks dry mid-cook, reduce the heat and add ¼ cup of water as needed.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently to preserve creaminess.

Keywords: cheesy rice, creamy rice, side dish recipe, stovetop rice, cheddar cheese rice

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/cheesy-rice-recipe/