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Popcorn Rice Recipe

August 19, 2013

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Popcorn rice is a super easy side dish recipe that goes with almost anything.

It has a light buttery flavor, takes just minutes to prepare and is very kid friendly.

Popcorn Rice text over rice with tomatoes and chicken

Hello folks! Today, I have another ridiculously easy, but tasty, recipe to share with you.

It was a fan favorite in my house growing up and remains one the most requested dishes in my own home today.

It's one we eat often.

So often, in fact, that in several of my food posts, the picture of the meal features a side of rice. In my last recipe post, about homemade chicken nuggets, I finally named it.

We call it Popcorn Rice.

My mom's old recipe card has it tagged as Rice Pilaf, but it is certainly not a pilaf.

It's super basic, but it's also super delicious and when it cooks in the oven, the entire house smells like warm, buttered popcorn.

Hence the name.

And yum.

When I say it's the easiest recipe ever, I'm not kidding.It requires just a few ingredients and then you pop it in the microwave or oven and voila...perfection every time.

Are you ready? Because if you blink, you might miss it.

Butter, Pyrex measuring cup and dry rice on table


Popcorn Rice Recipe


1 cup of white rice
2 cups of water
1-2 chicken bouillon cubes
1-2 tablespoons of butter

I like a heavily flavored rice, so I go for 2 cubes and 2 tablespoons of butter.

I mix all the ingredients together in my round French White CorningWare casserole dish (like this one) and bake it on 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Microwave Rice Cheat:


When I'm really in a rush, I throw it in the microwave instead of the oven.

I pop it in for about 15-20 minutes in 5 minute intervals, but honestly, it just comes out so much better in the oven....and the aroma is so much stronger.

However, it's still very good this way and when we're running home late from some activity or practice, the microwave is a real time saver.

Either way, that's it!

That's all there is to it.

I serve it as a side with everything.

Sometimes I even toss the leftovers in a cup of broth or tomato soup for a heartier meal and if I go light on the cube and butter it is a yummy addition to our tacos, since I'm not big into spicy.

It's a very versatile side.

Picture montage with chicken recipes, rice and rice recipe ingredients

If you try it, let me know what you think.

And if you need at tasty entrée with it, and crave something a little more sophisticated than chicken nuggets, you can check out my recipe for chicken pizzaiola (pictured above)!

Bon (easy) appétit!

Chicken nuggets, rice, tomatoes and broccoli on red plate


Kim Signature


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  1. I totally want to try this! =D I was raised eating medium grain sticky rice, plain, with every single meal (Hawai'i girl). Now that I have my own kitchen, I've been playing around with adding a little something to our rice. This sounds like my next rice adventure. =D

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    1. Thanks Yvonne, I hope it is a tasty alternative. I have to say that I would gladly trade with you...Hawaii living sounds lovely! :)

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  2. Sounds good to me! I used to buy Jasmine Rice on occasion, and when it cooks it smells like popcorn, but it has gotten so expensive that it makes sense to just flavor more cost effective rice the way that you do :)

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    1. I have never heard of Jasmine Rice, Deb. I am very curious now, I have to check it out! Gee, I hope my rice can keep up! Jasmine Rice sounds so exotic!

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  3. Looks delish- but I have a question. In your ingredient list, is the rice cooked or uncooked? Oh si, gonna try this one out for sure!! BB2U

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    1. Thanks...super easy...uncooked rice...the easier the better! Let me know if you like!

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  4. That sounds easy enough. We love chicken and rice. Thanks for sharing at the DIY Sunday Showcase.

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    1. It's super easy! If you do give a try, please let me know. I would love to know what you think! :)

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  5. Do you put the lid on the Corningware when you cook it in the oven? I tried learning how to do rice in the microwave and I had a mess every time til I read someone who said to leave the lid off and cook 15 plus minutes. It worked!! Seems I would have the same mess in a standard oven.

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    1. No top! I had to learn that the hard way, too!! The flavor does stay in even without a lid on the Corningware...and then there's no mess. Hope that helps and sorry for the late response.

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