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Cheesy Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

This Cheesy Rice recipe offers a creamy, flavorful side dish featuring fluffy long grain white rice cooked with butter, onion, chicken broth, whole milk, and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect to accompany a variety of meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice and Base

  • 1 cup long grain white rice (not instant or brown)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 small onion, small diced

Liquid and Seasoning

  • 8 ounces chicken broth
  • 8 ounces whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cheese

  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice: Use a fine mesh sieve to rinse the rice under cold water to remove surface starches. This ensures that the rice cooks up fluffy and prevents it from becoming sticky or gummy.
  2. Sauté onion: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the edges start lightly browning, enhancing the flavor base.
  3. Add ingredients and combine: Stir in the rice, chicken broth, whole milk, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Simmer covered: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to low (almost off). Let cook for 18 to 20 minutes, avoiding lifting the lid to retain steam and ensure proper cooking.
  5. Finish with cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese gently and fluff the rice with a fork to combine. Serve the cheesy rice warm as a delicious side dish.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice is key to achieving fluffy, non-sticky grains.
  • Do not lift the lid while cooking to keep the steam in and avoid drying out the rice.
  • You can substitute whole milk for 2% milk for a lighter dish, but whole milk adds a creamier texture.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor; avoid pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking agents that may affect melting.

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

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