Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, brown rice works beautifully in this recipe, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Brown rice typically requires 45-50 minutes to cook through and about 4 cups of liquid instead of 5. The nutty flavor of brown rice complements the seasonings wonderfully.

Why is my rice still crunchy after the cooking time?

If your rice remains undercooked, it likely needs more liquid or time. Add an additional ¼ cup of hot chicken stock, cover, and continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes on low heat. Different stoves and cookware can affect cooking times, so trust your taste buds over the timer.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply substitute vegetable broth for the chicken stock and you'll have a delicious vegetarian side dish. The butter contributes significantly to the flavor, but for a vegan version, you could use olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative.

How can I reduce the sodium in this recipe?

To make a lower-sodium version, use unsalted butter and low-sodium or homemade chicken stock without added salt. The paprika and other spices provide plenty of flavor, so you won't miss the extra sodium. You can always add a small amount of salt at the table if needed.

Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice Recipe

Name: Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: ½ cup (1 stick) butter; 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed; 1 yellow onion, diced; 2 tablespoons paprika; 1 tablespoon dried parsley; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 5 cups chicken stock

Description

A flavorful and savory Tex-Mex seasoned rice recipe that pairs perfectly with any main course or can even stand alone as a delicious side dish. Simple ingredients combine to create a buttery, spiced rice dish with aromatic flavors.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 yellow onion, diced

Seasonings

- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Liquid Base

5 cups chicken stock

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Instructions

Melt Butter: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter until it is fully liquefied and begins to emit a rich, aromatic scent.
Toast the Rice: Add the rinsed long-grain white rice into the melted butter, and sauté it until the rice turns a light golden-brown color, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently to ensure even toasting and prevent burning.
Add Seasonings and Onion: Stir in the diced yellow onion, paprika, dried parsley, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the rice and cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add Chicken Stock: Pour the chicken stock into the saucepan and stir well. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer the Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a fitted lid, and let the rice simmer gently for 25-30 minutes. During this time, the rice should absorb most of the liquid and soften. Keep an eye on the rice to avoid overcooking; it should still look slightly moist when done.
Serve Immediately: Remove the saucepan from the heat and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve the seasoned rice warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a standalone meal.

Notes

For a spicier kick, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
If you’d like a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
Leftover rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
Rinsing the rice beforehand improves texture by reducing excess starch.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 220
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg