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June 8, 2015 8 Comments

Homemade Rice-a-Roni Recipe



 

Homemade-rice-a-roni-recipe-chicken-flavor
Homemade Rice-a-Roni Recipe

Rice-a-Roni was always one of the things I would beg my mom for at the grocery store. I don’t know why. I just liked it. I think I first tasted it at a friends house and fell in love with it.

My mom was never much for buying prepackaged items but, if it was on sale, or if she was going to be out of town and we would need to make our own dinner, she would splurge and get some Rice-a-Roni.

I have to admit, over the past decade or so I had pretty much forgotten about Rice-A-Roni and my love affair with it.

A year or so ago I decided to check it out at the store. I was like, What? these boxes are tiny. I would have to get two or three just to have enough for my family. Also, even on sale they were still a dollar a box.

I knew it was time for me try making it myself. I did, it was great and I have been making it myself ever since.

homemade-rice-a-roni-recipe-

I have two different ways I like to make it. Sometimes I use a lipton noodle soup packet that already has the noodles and chicken seasoning in it, and sometimes I break up thin spaghetti and use chicken bullion.

Today I am sharing how I make it with the lipton soup packet and I will share the other version next time I make it and take pictures.

Homemade-recipe-for-rice-a-roni

In a large frying pan that has a tight fitting lid, add oil, butter, chopped onion and garlic, saute for one minute and then add the rice and the noodles from the noodle soup packet (I try to carefully scoop the noodles that have settled on top off into the pan without getting much of the seasoning mixed it. Only about half of the noodles are able to be removed this way, don’t worry the only reason we are taking some out now is to fry them a little and give them that nice browned color, you don’t need all of them to be browned just some.)

homemade-rice-a-roni-recipe-

Stir the rice and noodles around until many pieces of rice are white and noodles are turning a nice brown color. At this point add the water, parsley, lemon juice and the rest of the noodle soup packet.

Homemade-Rice--a-roni-recipe

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover with lid and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until water is almost completely absorbed and rice and noodles are tender. Remove form heat, and stir. Cover with lid again and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

This side goes well with chicken and fish. My kids love it when I serve this with chicken nuggets and broccoli.

5.0 from 2 reviews
Homemade Rice-a-Roni Recipe
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
25 mins
 
A yummy homemade version of Chicken Flavored Rice-a-roni. Taste Delicious and cooks up in less then 20 minutes. Makes a great side dish for Chicken and fish.
Author: Maria
Recipe type: Rice and Pasta Side DIsh
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 packet of Lipton Noodle Soup (generic works great too)
  • 1 cup of rice
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, canola oil works great too
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 3 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1½ tsp lemon juice
  • 3 cups of water, scant
Instructions
  1. Put the butter, oil, garlic and onion in a large skillet that has a tight fitting lid, saute them for one minute over high heat.
  2. Add the rice and as many of the noodles from the noodle packet as you can scrap off the top without getting too much of the seasoning with it.
  3. Continue stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until the rice has turned white and many of the noodles have browned.
  4. Quickly add the water, lemon juice, rest of the soup packet, and parsley, bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover with tight lid and allow it to simmer for 15-18 minutes or until most of the water has absorbed.
  6. Stir, Cover again and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
3.2.2929

Enjoy!

Keep it Real!!!

Maria

 

Family Favorite Recipes, Ingredients, Recipes, Rice, Side Dishes
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8 Comments

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8 Comments

  1. Courtney Thompson

    June 14, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    I would love to have your recipe for this ride with out the Noodle soup package, please!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      June 19, 2017 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Courtney, If you don’t want to use a lipton soup packet, you can substitute chicken broth or stock in place of the water and break up an ounce or two of angel hair pasta into inch size pieces.

      reply to this comment
  2. Alison

    September 29, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    Did you mean 3 tsp? I think 3 tablespoons looks more than your picture so just wondering, thanks! It smells heavenly!

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      September 30, 2020 at 4:11 pm

      Hi Alison,

      I actually do use three tbsp because it makes me feel like I am at least adding something green. You could use anywhere from 1 tsp to 3 tbsp depending on taste and appearance preferences. Thanks for commenting on this recipe. It’s been a long time since I made it and i know my kids would love to have it soon.

      reply to this comment
      • Alison

        October 5, 2020 at 8:40 pm

        It was super delicious – I used 3 teaspoons and it was great but it could also use more 🙂

        Thanks for a delicious and easy recipe!

        reply to this comment
        • Maria

          October 7, 2020 at 7:55 am

          Great, you are welcome!

          reply to this comment
  3. Stacy

    January 2, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    Do I need to increase the amount of water if I am using brown rice?

    reply to this comment
    • Maria

      January 7, 2021 at 10:50 am

      Hi Stacy, I haven’t ever used brown rice in this recipe. I don’t think you will need to increase the amount of water but the cooking time will definitely increase by at least 25 minutes.

      reply to this comment

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Welcome friends!

Hi, I'm Maria. A mom of five and a total foodie. My superpower is taking ordinary recipes and making them DELICIOUS. Your family will LOVE these meals! Come cook with me, I promise it will be amazing! Get started here or search my archives below.


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