Easy Meal Ideas to Serve with Rice

Rice is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly staples to keep on hand, but figuring out what to serve with rice can sometimes feel repetitive.

Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners, simple meal ideas, or frugal ways to stretch your grocery budget, there are so many easy options that pair perfectly with rice.

From chicken and beef to vegetarian and comfort food favorites, here are plenty of easy meals to serve with rice.

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How to Cook Perfect Rice Every Time

If you’re planning meals with rice, knowing how to cook it perfectly makes all the difference – even without a rice cooker! Here are three easy methods to cook rice.

Stovetop

Rinse 1 cup of rice, then combine with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15–18 minutes until the water is absorbed.

Instant Pot

Add 1 cup rice and 1 cup water, cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then let it naturally release for 10 minutes. This has become my go-to method with jasmine rice.

Oven

Combine rice and water in a covered baking dish and bake at 375°F for about 25–30 minutes until tender.

All three methods work well! I used to always cook long grain rice on the stovetop but have switched to always cooking jasmine rice in the instant pot. Once you have your rice ready, here are 40 easy ideas for what goes with rice.

Chicken Meals to Serve with Rice

• Teriyaki Chicken – A sweet and savory classic that’s easy to make at home and perfect served over rice.
• Garlic Butter Chicken – A simple, flavorful chicken dish made with pantry ingredients and ready in no time.
• Honey Garlic Chicken – A family-friendly dinner with just the right mix of sweet and savory flavors.
• BBQ Chicken – An easy option using your favorite barbecue sauce and whatever cut of chicken you prefer for a quick and satisfying meal.
• Lemon Chicken – Light, fresh, and perfect when you want something a little different from heavier meals.
• Salsa Chicken – One of the easiest meals to throw in the slow cooker with just salsa or extra taco seasoning as you prefer. Serve over rice, or use the chicken and rice to make burrito style bowls.
• Million Dollar Chicken – These delicious cream cheese topped chicken breasts are another family favorite.
• Chicken Stir Fry – A quick and flexible meal that’s great for using up whatever vegetables you have on hand.
• Chicken Curry – A simple, flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with rice for a cozy dinner.
• Baked Chicken – A basic, no-fuss option that works well when you need something simple and reliable. Use your favorite cut of chicken and season simply before serving with rice.
• Balsamic Crock Pot Chicken – If you’re looking for a super simple and healthy meal, this 3-ingredient slow cooker recipe goes great over rice.

Beef Meals to Serve with Rice

• Ground Beef Skillet Meals – With so many different options available, this is a quick option that you can easily serve with rice.
• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry – A simple takeout-style meal that’s easy to make at home.
• BBQ Meatballs – Sweet and savory meatballs that are easy to throw together and always a hit with the whole family. The Pioneer Woman’s BBQ Meatball recipe is a go-to in our family.
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs – A slightly tangy, slightly sweet option that pairs perfectly with rice for an easy dinner.
• Meatballs – Really, any meatballs pair well with rice! I keep these basic meatballs in my freezer at all times to be ready for a quick meal.
• Beef Tips with Gravy – Tender beef in a rich gravy that makes a simple, comforting meal over rice.
• Chili – A good, basic chili is always a great meal option. If you don’t want to serve rice with chili, here are 27 other ideas to serve with chili instead.
• Taco Meat – Super simple to make and perfect for an easy taco bowl (instead of shells) with rice, cheese, and whatever toppings you have on hand.
• Hamburger Gravy – A budget-friendly comfort meal made with ground beef and a simple gravy that’s perfect served over rice on busy nights.

Vegetarian Meals to Serve with Rice

• Stir-Fried Vegetables – A flexible option that’s perfect for using up whatever veggies you have in the fridge.
• Egg Roll in a Bowl – All the flavors of an egg roll without the wrapper, making it an easy and healthier option.
• Black Beans – A simple, budget-friendly protein that pairs perfectly with rice for a filling meal.
• Lentils – An affordable and hearty option that’s easy to cook and great for stretching meals.
• Chickpea Curry – A flavorful, spicy dish that’s simple to make and perfect over rice.
• Roasted Veggies – An easy, hands-off side that adds great flavor to your rice meal.
• Vegetable Fried Rice – A super easy way to turn leftover rice and veggies into a quick, budget-friendly meal.
• Stuffed Peppers – A simple mix of rice, beans, and veggies baked together for an easy, filling dinner. (You can also make this with meat if you prefer.)
• Cheesy Zucchini Rice – Enjoy your vegetables and your rice together in this cheesy and delicious zucchini rice.

Casseroles & Comfort Meals to Pair with Rice

• Poppy Seed Chicken – Poppy seed chicken is a family favorite and one of our go-to comfort meals. We serve it over rice, for a yummy meal that everyone loves.
• Swedish Meatballs – A creamy, comforting classic that pairs perfectly with rice for an easy dinner.
• Chicken Alfredo Rice Casserole – You can enjoy your chicken alfredo mixed together with rice in this make-ahead casserole dinner.
• Sausage and Peppers – A flavorful, one-pan meal that’s easy to throw together on a busy night.
• Crock Pot Mexican Chicken – Only 5 ingredients needed for this easy meal, that you can eat with chips or pour over rice.
• Chicken Wild Rice Casserole – With this creamy casserole, wild rice is already included in the recipe for an easy rice casserole.
• Beef Stroganoff – A creamy, hearty dish that works just as well over rice when you don’t have noodles on hand.
• Cheesy Enchilada Rice Casserole – I love the enchilada flavor in this skillet rice dinner. A great Mexican dinner idea!

Easy & Budget Meals with Rice

• Beans and Rice – One of the simplest and most budget-friendly meals that’s filling and easy to make with pantry staples.
• Burrito Bowls – An easy way to use what you have on hand and build a customizable meal everyone will eat.
• Fried Rice – A great way to use up leftover rice and turn it into a quick, affordable meal.

I hope this list helps you figure out what to serve with rice tonight! There really are so many simple options that pair perfectly with rice.

And if you need more easy dinner ideas, check out my list of what to serve with baked potatoes for even more inspiration.