Quick Rice Recipes That Make Dinner a Snap

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.

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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

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Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

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
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Mushrooms & Peas Rice Pilaf

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
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Garbanzo-Vegetable Green Curry

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
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Garlic Shrimp and Rice

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
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Hearty Sausage and Rice Skillet

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 of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Broccoli-Chicken Rice Soup

I transformed leftover chicken and rice into this tasty soup. It even passed the company test. —Karen Reed, Middletown, Ohio
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Apple-Balsamic Pork Chops & Rice

Thanks to tangy balsamic vinegar and sweet apples, this one-pot pork chop lets you have a little something special anytime. —Greg Hageli, Elmhurst, Illinois
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Tilapia with Fiesta Rice

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
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Easy Chicken Fried Rice

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
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Cajun Beef & Rice

Cajun rice from a restaurant or box can have a lot of sodium and fat. Here’s a hearty, healthy way to trim it down. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
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Southwest Chicken Dinner

I created a lighter, no-guilt alternative with the bold flavors we love, but missing the calorie-laden tortilla. —Marquisha Turner, Denver, Colorado
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Black Bean & Sweet Potato Rice Bowls

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
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Spicy Sweet Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa

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
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Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice

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
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Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

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
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Pressure-Cooker Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus

This speedy method of making risotto works every time! —Kim Gray, Davie, Florida
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Arborio Rice and White Bean Soup

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
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Meat Lover's Pizza Rice Skillet

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
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Vegetarian Pad Thai

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
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Korean Salmon Skewers with Rice Slaw

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
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Pressure-Cooker Risotto with Chicken and Mushrooms

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
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Southwestern Beef and Rice Skillet

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
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Pressure Cooker Saucy BBQ Chicken Thighs

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
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Pressure-Cooker Pork and Apple Curry

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

Sue Stetzel
Sue has been working with Taste of Home since 2011. When she isn’t writing, she’s answering your burning cooking questions and working with our team of Community Cooks. She spends her free time cooking, crafting, and volunteering for various organizations in her home town.