Who said rice recipes have to take hours? Not us! Whether a starring role or a supporting side, these quick dishes fit the bill in hurry.
Quick Rice Recipes That Make Dinner a Snap
Updated on Dec. 07, 2022
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
My husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that’s both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove, California
1/25
2/25
Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this easy skillet dish to use up the boil-in-a-bag rice in my cabinet. The result packs a lot of flavor. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 461 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 1816mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein.
3/25
Mushrooms & Peas Rice Pilaf
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Anything can be in a rice pilaf. Adding peas and baby portobello mushrooms gives it a springlike burst of color and a variety of textures. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 177 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 352mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
4/25
Garbanzo-Vegetable Green Curry
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves anything with coconut milk, so I always keep some on hand for weeknight meals like this one. For a milder version, I like to use red or yellow curry paste instead of green. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup with 2/3 cup rice: 516 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 10g fiber), 15g protein.
5/25
Garlic Shrimp and Rice
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son's favorite food is shrimp, so I'm always looking for quick and simple ways to make it. In this recipe, sometimes I use garlic salt instead of minced garlic cloves and salt. —Julie Trani, Chesapeake, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 309 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 656mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
6/25
Hearty Sausage and Rice Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At the end of the day, who wants a stack of dishes to wash? That’s why we love this entree: It cooks in one skillet and everyone cleans their plates! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 318 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 1007mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 16g protein.
7/25
Broccoli-Chicken Rice Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I transformed leftover chicken and rice into this tasty soup. It even passed the company test. —Karen Reed, Middletown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 442 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 1571mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
8/25
Balsamic Pork Chops
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loves pork chops, so I try to find new ways to use them. He calls this version "restaurant quality!" —Nicole Clayton, Prescott, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 3 tablespoons sauce: 715 calories, 41g fat (17g saturated fat), 169mg cholesterol, 557mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 1g fiber), 46g protein.
9/25
Tilapia with Fiesta Rice
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I often use my husband’s fresh-caught bass or catfish for this recipe, but tilapia, salmon and even chicken will do. —Tarin Hauck, Minneapolis, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3/4 cup rice mixture: 424 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 874mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 41g protein.
10/25
Easy Chicken Fried Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After my first child was born, I needed meals that were satisfying and fast. This easy chicken fried rice is now part of our regular dinner rotation. — Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 548 calories, 25g fat (5g saturated fat), 163mg cholesterol, 934mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein.
11/25
Dirty Rice with Ground Beef
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dirty rice from a restaurant or box can end up having a surprisingly high amount of sodium and fat. This fast recipe is a hearty, healthy way to trim it down. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 291 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
12/25
Southwest Chicken Dinner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created a lighter, no-guilt alternative with the bold flavors we love, but missing the calorie-laden tortilla. —Marquisha Turner, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without optional toppings): 398 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
13/25
Sweet Potato Bowl
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have three hungry boys in my house, so dinners need to be quick and filling, and it helps to get in some veggies, too. This one is a favorite because it's hearty and fun to tweak with different ingredients. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 435 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein.
14/25
Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to find a way to use pineapple salsa in a recipe. I came up with this super simple, delicious and quick dish! —Erin Schillo, Northfield, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 356 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
15/25
Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken with 3/4 cup rice: 500 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein.
16/25
Asian Chicken Rice Bowl
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This super flavorful, nutrient-packed dish makes use of supermarket conveniences like coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families. —Christianna Gozzi, Asteria, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 429 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
17/25
Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This speedy method of making risotto works every time! —Kim Gray, Davie, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 424 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 661mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
18/25
Arborio Rice and White Bean Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Soup is the ultimate comfort food. This hearty, satisfying soup with arborio rice is low in fat and comes together in less than 30 minutes. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 303 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 861mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein.
19/25
Meat Lover's Pizza Rice Skillet
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a quick dinner, I threw this together from what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza toppings you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. My son loves this and calls it pizza rice. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 390 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 906mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein.
20/25
Vegetarian Pad Thai
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a simple pad thai loaded with crisp vegetables and zesty flavor. It’s quick, simple, and fresh-tasting. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 339 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein.
21/25
Korean Salmon Skewers with Rice Slaw
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy dinner is light and lovely, with so many delicious flavors and textures all in one stunning dish. It's so impressive that I often serve it to guests. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 533 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 74g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 6g fiber), 26g protein.
22/25
Pressure-Cooker Risotto with Chicken and Mushrooms
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Portobello mushrooms add an earthy flavor to this creamy classic, while shredded rotisserie chicken makes it a snap to prepare. You'll savor every bite. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 636 calories, 26g fat (10g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1411mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.
23/25
Beef and Rice Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to serve this kicked-up skillet dish with warm flour tortillas and a side of guacamole. If you like things a little spicier, add more jalapeno and enjoy the heat! —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 482 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 962mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
24/25
Pressure Cooker Saucy BBQ Chicken Thighs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Barbecued chicken gets a makeover in this recipe. The combination of ingredients makes for a mellow, not-too-sweet flavor that's more grown-up than the original and super over rice, pasta or potatoes. —Sharon Fritz, Morristown, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 240 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
25/25
Pressure-Cooker Pork and Apple Curry
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a gentle curry dish that's won't overwhelm more delicate palates. For fun, try varying the garnish—add a few chopped peanuts or a little chutney. —Nancy Reck, Mill Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 174 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
