15 Best Basmati Rice Recipes to Try Tonight

Are you looking for some delicious and easy basmati rice recipes? You’ve come to the right place.

In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite recipes for cooking this aromatic rice. 

Basmati rice is a long grain, fluffy rice that originates from the Punjab region of India.

It’s light and fragrant with a delicious, nutty flavor. It’s perfect for making pilafs, Indian food, and salads. 

So, are you in the mood for a simple side dish? Or are you looking for a more elaborate main course? Either way, I have you covered. 

Just scroll down and check out these basmati rice recipes.

1. Perfect Basmati Rice

Before we get creative, here’s a recipe for plain but perfect basmati rice.

You can easily make it with only four ingredients in less than 30 minutes. 

You need rice, butter, water, and salt. Those simple ingredients will give you the fluffiest, tenderest basmati rice possible. 

It’s low in fat and calories and makes an excellent side dish. You can also use it as a bed for protein and veggies.

Or you can always snack on it by itself. Either way, it’s incredible.

2. Basmati Rice Pilaf

Are you looking for something with a bit more flavor? Try this garlicky, onion rice pilaf instead.

It’s ridiculously scrumptious and has the most wonderful texture. 

Top it with minced chives and almonds for more crunch and color. I love to serve this with a lean piece of chicken.

However, it’s also a typical ‘by itself’ snack in my house. 

3. Indian Basmati Rice

Since basmati rice comes from India, it’s only fair that we have an Indian recipe for it.

Jazz it up Indian style with turmeric, cumin, curry, and other fragrant seasonings.

It has a gorgeous golden color and a robust, spicy, and herby flavor.

It’s impossible not to love, especially served alongside your favorite curry.

4. Garlic Basmati Rice

If you’re anything like me, you can’t get enough garlic. I could put it on just about anything and enjoy it.

If you feel the same way, use this recipe and add garlic to your basmati rice. 

Mix in some spring onions, salt, and rapeseed oil, and you’re all set. Your whole house will smell amazing while it’s cooking, too.

5. Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Don’t pick up the takeout menu the next time you’re craving chicken fried rice.

Save yourself some time and money, and make your own with this recipe.

The recipe is easy to follow, and the rice tastes as good as anything from your local Asian restaurant.

Plus, you can have it on the table in less than an hour. It’s hard to beat that! 

6. Basmati Coconut Rice

Despite the coconut milk, this isn’t a sweet rice dish. It’s savory, fluffy, and delightfully sticky.

It has a rich, earthy flavor with bold pops of oniony deliciousness. 

And though it’s not sweet, it tastes terrific with sweet-n-sour recipes.

Try it as a bed for sweet-n-sour pork or chicken. You won’t be disappointed. 

7. Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice

What’s better than the bold taste of curry and a ton of fresh veggies? Not much! 

This colorful rice is as nutritious as it is delicious. It features beans, peas, onions, cauliflower, peppers, and more.

And that doesn’t include all the flavorful herbs and spices. 

It’s a simple, vegetarian-friendly side dish. You can even make it vegan with just a few tweaks to the recipe.

Mix in tofu or your favorite protein for a complete, healthy meal. 

8. Beef Stew in Half the Time With Rice

Do you find yourself craving beef stew when the weather turns cool? I know I do.

Unfortunately, making it typically involves a slow cooker and hours of simmering. 

That’s great if you want a convenient, hands-off recipe.

However, if it’s already dinnertime, and you just started craving it, you’ll need another option.

That’s where this recipe comes in handy.

You can whip it up in no more than an hour. (And it tastes just as good as the slow-cooked recipe.)

Serve it over a bed of basmati rice, and voila! Dinner is served! 

9. One-Pan Shrimp and Rice

I am a sucker for a terrific one-pan meal, especially if it’s colorful, fragrant, and flavorful. (With low-fat shrimp and tons of veggies!)

That’s exactly what you’ll get with this delectable dinner. It’s well-seasoned and slightly spicy, Creole food at its finest.

Try it just once, and you’ll be hooked for life. 

10. One-Pot Greek Chicken and Basmati Rice

Prefer milder meals with chicken instead of shrimp?

This recipe might be more your speed. It’s just as yummy and easy to make in one pot. 

It’s garlicky and herby, with bright notes of feta, lemon, and basil.

If you’re looking for a more exciting way to serve chicken and rice, this recipe is it. 

11. Indian Butter Chicken With Basmati Rice

Indian butter chicken might be the one Indian recipe that everyone I know loves.

Some of my friends and family love chicken tikka masala. Others prefer tandoori chicken.

But they all love butter chicken. It’s the easy Indian meal we can all agree on.

The chicken itself is tender and juicy. The bright, tomato-based sauce is also out of this world.

It’s a spicy, but not too spicy, meal that the whole family can enjoy.

Just don’t forget the basmati rice and naan bread to go along with it. 

12. Middle Eastern Roasted Vegetable Rice

Do you like Middle Eastern food? How about loads of tasty veggies?

This recipe combines both of those things into one golden, delicious dish.

It takes some time to make, but it’s well worth it. It smells great, looks phenomenal, and tastes even better.

Plus, it’s naturally vegan, so nearly anyone can enjoy it.  

13. Chicken and Rice Soup

Mmmm… Chicken and rice soup. I love it! It’s right up there with chicken noodle soup when it comes to ‘feel better’ meals.

And with this recipe, you can make it yourself. It’s a flavorful, thin-broth soup with lots of chunky goodness.

It takes less than an hour to make in a single pot. It also has fewer than 200 calories per serving.

Whip up a batch the next time you’re in the mood for soup. 

14. Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Basmati Rice

Remember earlier when I said some of my friends love chicken tikka masala? It was me. I’m some of my friends. 

Seriously, though, this is my all-time favorite Indian dish. It has everything: the spice, the curry, the rich tomato sauce.

Not to mention, the fluffy rice and tender chicken. 

If you love Indian food or want to try it this recipe is for you. 

15. Italian-Style Rice Salad

Oh, man. If you think pasta salad is a summer must-have, just wait.

Try this rice salad, and you’ll never look at pasta salad the same way again. 

It’s cool, colorful, and full of veggies, herbs, seasonings, and spices.

The Italian dressing contains a wallop of flavor, and everything else is just as tasty.

It takes just 20 minutes to pull together and is scrumptious warm or cold.

Give it a try at your next backyard BBQ. There won’t be a single person there who doesn’t want seconds.