This Herby Garlic Seasoned Rice, infused with fragrant coriander and parsley, contributes a deliciously light and fluffy element to your meal. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes, it serves as the ideal accompaniment to a variety of main courses, enhancing their flavours with its aromatic profile.
My family adores rice side dishes, so I love creating diverse versions packed with flavor. This easy rice dish, cooked in stock with herbs and garlic, has become a beloved favourite.
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Calories in Herby Garlic Rice
This Easy Herby Garlic Rice serves 4 and is 187 per serving
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 100+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients used in this recipe:
- Long Grain Rice (or Basmati): Basic Long grain white rice serves as the base for this dish, providing a light and fluffy texture. Basmati rice can also be used if you prefer.
- Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Chicken or vegetable stock adds depth of flavour to the rice, infusing it with savoury notes and enhancing its overall taste. Choose according to your preference or dietary requirements.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley contributes a vibrant colour and a subtle, herbaceous flavour to the rice, providing a refreshing contrast to the other ingredients.
- Coriander: Also known as cilantro, coriander lends a citrusy and slightly peppery taste to the rice, complementing the flavours in the dish.
- Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a hint of warmth and spice to the rice, balancing out the flavours and adding depth to the dish.
- Garlic: Infusing the rice with its aromatic and pungent flavor, garlic enhances the dish's overall savoury profile and provides a deliciously fragrant aroma. For convenience, I use jarred minced garlic, but if you opt for fresh garlic, note that 1 teaspoon of minced garlic is equivalent to approximately 1 clove.
- Low-Calorie Spray: Used for sautéing the garlic and herbs, low-calorie spray oil adds richness to the rice while keeping it light and healthy and low on calories. Use your preferred choice of low calorie spray, I prefer olive oil or avocado sprays without any added emulsifiers.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Rice
- Rinse the Rice: Before cooking, rinse 1 cup of long grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch from the rice grains, resulting in fluffier cooked rice.
- Toast the grains: After rinsing, lightly frying the rice in a pan with low calorie spray (or olive oil or butter) adds depth of flavour and prevents clumping during cooking. While this step may be omitted when preparing plain white rice, it is essential for seasoned or flavoured rice to enhance its taste and texture..
- Use the Right Ratio: For every cup of rice, use two cups of stock or water (ensure this is boiling hot), along with any additional ingredients required for flavour. This ratio is for white rice only.
- Bring to a Boil: Once the stock and rice are combined in the pan, bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer and Steam: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the rice to simmer undisturbed until the liquid is nearly absorbed and the rice is tender, approximately 13 minutes. Avoid stirring during this process to prevent the rice from becoming sticky or mushy.
- Let it Rest: Once the cooking time is complete, resist the urge to lift the lid or stir the rice. Instead, let the rice rest covered for an additional 10 minutes to steam and finish cooking. Afterward, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and enjoy its light and fluffy texture.
Following these tips ensures perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every time, with each grain separate and tender. The result is a delicious side dish that perfectly complements any meal.
Storing Leftover Rice
To safely store any leftover rice, transfer it to an airtight container or sealable bag once it has cooled to room temperature. Place the container in the refrigerator promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Leftover rice can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
When reheating, ensure that the rice is heated thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any bacteria. Avoid leaving cooked rice at room temperature for an extended period to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
Main Course Suggestions
Need some ideas for main course to serve with this rice? Check out some of these:
- Black Pepper Chicken with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Traybake
- Air Fryer Harissa Chicken
- Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites
- Air Fryer Honey Harissa Salmon
- Grilled Chicken Breast Stuffed with Mozzarella
- Stove Top BBQ Pork
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Herby Garlic Rice
Brown rice is not recommended as a substitute for long grain rice in this recipe. Brown rice requires a longer cooking time and a higher liquid ratio, resulting in a different texture. Stick to long grain rice for optimal results.
Feel free to experiment with different herbs to customize the flavour of the rice. In addition to parsley and coriander, you can try adding fresh basil, dill, chives, or thyme for a unique twist.
To reheat leftover herby garlic rice, add a splash of water or broth to the rice to prevent it from drying out. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel and heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
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Recipe Card
Herby Garlic Rice
Herby Garlic Rice, infused with fragrant coriander and parsley, contributes a deliciously light and fluffy element to your meal. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes, it serves as the ideal accompaniment to a variety of main courses.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (190g) of uncooked long grain rice, rinsed
- low calorie spray
- 2 teaspoons of minced garlic (or 2 cloves, crushed)
- 2 cups (480ml) of chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 ½ tablespoons of finely chopped coriander
- 1 ½ tablespoons of finely chopped parsley
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Spray a deep saucepan with low-calorie spray.
- Add the garlic and fry for about a minute to infuse the flavor.
- Add the rice to the saucepan and fry until it becomes slightly translucent.
- Pour in the stock, along with parsley, coriander, and a pinch of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for 13 minutes, or until the stock is almost absorbed.
- Turn off the heat, but keep the saucepan covered for an additional 10 minutes to allow the steam to continue cooking the rice.
- After 10 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Your herby garlic rice is now ready to be enjoyed!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Gluten Free - use gluten free stock
- Dairy Free Friendly
- Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly - use vegetable stock
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 187Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 310mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 4g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Autumn says
This may be strange question, but is there any alternative for cilantro/coriander you'd recommend for this dish? My boyfriend is unable to eat cilantro/coriander because it tastes like soap to him! lol
Thank you! Adore your recipes!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
just parsley will be fine for this. Enjoy!