This skillet 5-ingredient rice is the kind of budget-friendly comfort food that sticks with you for years. It turns a few simple pantry basics into a warm, filling meal with plenty of toasty flavor, and it is exactly the sort of dish a busy nana would make when she needed to feed a full table without spending much. I love recipes like this because they are practical, cozy, and surprisingly satisfying, especially on nights when groceries are running low and everyone still wants seconds.
Serve this rice as an easy main dish with sliced tomatoes, buttered green beans, or a simple lettuce salad on the side. It also works well next to fried eggs, baked chicken, or smoked sausage if you want to stretch it even further, and a splash of hot sauce or a spoonful of salsa at the table gives it a little extra personality.
Skillet 5-Ingredient Rice
Servings: 5
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cups long-grain white rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until softened and lightly golden.
2. Stir in the rice and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring so the grains get coated in the butter and start to toast slightly.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the seasoned salt. Stir well, bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
4. Cover and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
5. Fluff the rice with a spoon, scraping up some of the browned crispy bits from the bottom of the skillet before serving.
Variations & Tips
Add a little protein: If you have leftover shredded chicken, diced ham, or cooked sausage in the fridge, stir it in during the last few minutes of cooking to make this feel more like a complete one-pan dinner.
Use bouillon if needed: When I am low on boxed broth, I just mix water with chicken bouillon. It is a great budget trick and still gives the rice that savory homemade taste.
Let the bottom crisp: For the best texture, leave the rice in the hot skillet for an extra minute or two after it is done cooking before fluffing. That little bit of golden crust on the bottom is often everyone’s favorite part.
Make it stretch farther: This dish is wonderful served with beans, eggs, or roasted vegetables if you need to feed a few extra people without adding much to the grocery bill.