These globally inspired basmati rice dishes will be a welcome addition to your dinner table. Try favorites like tikka masala, curry soup and more.
12 Flavorful Ways to Serve Basmati Rice
Updated on Jun. 12, 2023
Cool Beans Salad
This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
1/12
2/12
Thai Chicken Thighs
Total Time
5 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These very tender and moist chicken thighs come with a tangy peanut butter sauce that is irresistible. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1/4 cup sauce (calculated without rice): 261 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
3/12
Coconut Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This stew tastes as if you spent hours in the kitchen. The flavors of coconut milk, sweet potato and coriander nicely complement the chicken. A garnish of cilantro and toasted coconut adds a bit of sophistication. —Nicole Filizetti, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 365 calories, 16g fat (14g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 223mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein.
4/12
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.
5/12
Za’atar Chicken
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is it! No matter how much I make of this dish, it's gone to the last bite. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 484 calories, 32g fat (7g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 1367mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.
6/12
Chicken Curry Soup
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My German mother would occasionally cook dishes that were not traditional German recipes. One of my favorites was her Curry Chicken Soup. I've added my own touches to it, such as the chickpeas, coconut milk and fresh cilantro.—Deanna Hindenach, Paw Paw, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 270 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 555mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 16g protein.
7/12
Chicken Tikka Masala
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Indian-style chicken tikka masala recipe has flavors that keep me coming back for more—a simple dish spiced with garam masala, cumin and gingerroot that’s simply amazing. —Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups chicken mixture (calculated without rice): 381 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 864mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
8/12
Creamy Lentils with Kale Artichoke Saute
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been trying to eat more meatless meals, so I experimented with this hearty saute and served it over brown rice. It was so good that even those who aren't big fans of kale gobbled it up. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 321 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 661mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.
9/12
Mughlai Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy cooking for my family and try to incorporate healthy new foods into our menus. This authentic Indian dish is a favorite. —Aruna Kancharla, Bentonville, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 367 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 93mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
10/12
Spicy Mango Scallops
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet and spicy seafood combo gives off enough heat to make the whole family warm up to its great flavors! Be sure to buy the larger sea scallops for this recipe; cooking times would be off for the smaller bay scallops. —Nicole Filizetti, Jacksonville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3 scallops with 1/2 cup rice and 2 tablespoons sauce: 371 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 447mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 3 starch, 1/2 fat.
11/12
Great Grain Salad
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings (3/4 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I can't think of a better dish to round out a meal. My grain salad features all my favorite nuts, seeds and fruits. Try adding grilled chicken to make it a meal on its own. —Rachel Dueker, Gervais, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 368 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 281mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
12/12
Creamy Curry Vegetable Stew
Total Time
7 hours 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family loves to eat Indian food, and this recipe is quick and easy to do with jarred korma sauce and fresh spring vegetables. If you want it hotter, add cayenne pepper to taste. Sometimes I add grilled chicken to the recipe. I serve this dish with naan bread, chutney and flaked coconut for condiments. So good!—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 455 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 495mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 11g fiber), 11g protein.
