Rice is a cheap and cheerful side dish that pairs well with many different dinners, but unfortunately, it can be bland and tasteless if you do not prepare it properly. Andrea Vaughan, founder of Homemade for Elle, has revealed that the key to making rice incredibly tasty is to cook it in chicken stock instead of just water.
She said, “If you happen to love salty, bold, and vibrant flavours, I have a little secret to share with you. Instead of boiling your rice in water, try cooking rice with chicken broth.” This common kitchen ingredient infuses rice with richer flavours, as it contains more herbs and spices, making it much more enjoyable and satisfying to eat.
Not only can you add chicken broth to enhance the taste, but it can also give you a little nutritional boost as it contains protein, vitamins and minerals.
This is a quick and easy way to add more depth to your rice without spending more time in the kitchen or money.
If you are a vegetarian or do not want to add meat to your dish, then do not worry, as you can easily try out this cooking technique using veggie broth instead.
How to make rice tastier with chicken broth
All you need to do is cook your rice using the package instructions it came in like you normally would.
Add the rice to a pot of cold water, but this time add a stock cube or some broth as well. Bring the broth to a boil, and then give the rice a good stir so the rice does not stick together.
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer, and wait for the rice to become tender. Make sure to follow the package instructions for cooking time, but it should roughly take 15 to 20 minutes.
It really is that easy to make rice a much more appetising dish. You can also add butter and other flavour enhancers, like minced garlic or rosemary, to the water.
Adding a little butter makes rice creamier and also gives it a better texture, as it coats the grains with white cooking fat, which helps make it much fluffier.
However, you can be as imaginative with other added ingredients, but using broth instead of plain water will guarantee that rice is a more delightful dish every time you cook it.
Andrea said: “The chicken broth will leave your rice moist, salty, and for such a simple substitution. Your friends and family will be wondering how you made such tasty rice!”
