Name: Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups long grain white rice, uncooked; 3 1/4 cups cold tap water; 2 tsp chicken powder or granulated bouillon (or 2 cubes dissolved in boiling water); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 2 tbsp dried parsley, optional; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 50g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter (or more as desired)

There’s something so comforting about a warm bowl of perfectly cooked rice that’s bursting with buttery, savory flavors. This Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe is exactly that — simple, golden, and endlessly satisfying. It’s my go-to when I want a quick side that feels a little fancy without fuss.

A white oval plate filled with a large mound of light brown cooked rice mixed evenly with finely chopped green herbs, showing a soft texture. There is a small dollop of pale yellow butter melting on top of the rice in the middle of the plate. A wooden spoon rests at the side of the plate, partially under the rice. The background is a soft white marbled surface with a light green cloth slightly blurred behind the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it transforms plain rice into something truly delicious with just a handful of pantry spices and butter. It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser — versatile and fuss-free.

Fluffy texture every time: The rice cooks up light and fluffy without sticking or clumping.
Rich, buttery flavor: The generous butter combined with savory seasonings means you get that comforting taste with every bite.
Super easy to make: Everything goes into one pot and you don’t even have to peek while it simmers.
Great as a side or base: I love pairing it with hearty stews, grilled chicken, or just about any veggie dish.

A close-up view of a bowl filled with cooked white rice mixed with small green herb pieces, giving it a slightly speckled green look, with a pat of soft yellow butter melting in the center. The rice grains are fluffy and separate, with fresh chopped green parsley sprinkled on top. A wooden spoon scoops some rice at the right side of the bowl, revealing more rice underneath. The bowl is white and placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe lies in its simple but flavorful ingredients. Everything works together to season the rice evenly and give it that irresistible buttery finish. Here are the highlights and my tips for picking them:

Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked long grain white rice, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear cold water, two whole uncracked brown eggs, small white ceramic bowls each containing granular chicken bouillon powder, pale yellow garlic powder, fine onion powder, vibrant red paprika powder, dried green thyme leaves, dried parsley flakes, fine white salt, and freshly ground black peppercorns, and a few pats of smooth unsalted butter on a simple white ceramic plate placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Long grain white rice: It stays fluffy and separate when cooked, perfect for soaking up flavors without becoming mushy.
Water: Cold tap water works just fine — just make sure to measure carefully to keep the rice perfectly tender.
Chicken powder or granulated bouillon: This adds a savory depth, like a quick broth in the pot to flavor the rice while it cooks. I often use bouillon cubes dissolved in water if that’s what I have.
Garlic powder: Adds a gentle warmth and savory note without overpowering.
Onion powder: It pairs beautifully with garlic powder for that classic savory base flavor.
Paprika: Brings a hint of smoky sweetness and a lovely golden color.
Dried thyme: Adds an herby earthiness that brightens the rice nicely.
Dried parsley (optional): For a fresh touch of green and a subtle herbal lift.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
Unsalted butter: The star of the show — it gives the rice richness and that melt-in-your-mouth mouthfeel. I never skimp here and sometimes add a bit more if I’m feeling indulgent!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most is how easy it is to tweak this Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe to your personal tastes. Whether you want it spicier, more herbaceous, or even vegetarian, there’s room to make it suit exactly what you’re craving.

Variation: I sometimes swap chicken powder for vegetable bouillon to keep this dish meat-free—just as flavorful and hearty. Feel free to experiment with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil depending on what you’ve got on hand.
Spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or some crushed red pepper flakes with the paprika if you want a subtle kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe

Step 1: Combine everything in one pot

I dump the uncooked rice, cold water, chicken powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, parsley (if I’m using it), salt, and pepper into a large saucepan. Then I give everything a good stir to make sure the seasonings are evenly distributed. It already smells so inviting at this point — promise!

Step 2: Simmer gently with the lid on

Turn the heat to medium-high until you see gentle simmering – look for bubbles at the edges and ripples on the surface. Then, cover and lower to medium-low (or low if you have a strong stove). Leave the lid on and resist the urge to peek for the full 13 minutes. This is the secret to fluffy rice that cooks evenly without drying out.

Step 3: Let it rest

Once your timer goes off, tilt the pot gently to check if all the water has absorbed. If so, turn off the heat and let the rice stand, still covered, for 10 minutes. This resting step is crucial — it helps the steam finish the cooking and makes the rice even fluffier.

Step 4: Butter it up and fluff

Last, the best part: I add in the butter, letting it melt into the warm rice. Then I fluff it gently with a rubber spatula — no stirring here! This keeps every grain separate and perfectly coated in buttery goodness.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned a few key tricks to make this Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe foolproof and even better than the boxed mixes you find in stores. These simple tips saved me a lot of trial and error.

Perfect simmer: Make sure the rice is simmering gently—not boiling hard—to avoid burning or uneven cooking.
Don’t lift the lid: Resist peeking during cooking. Every time you open the lid, steam escapes and rice can come out undercooked or dried out.
Resting time: Those extra 10 minutes letting the rice sit off the heat really help make it fluffy and tender.
Butter last: Adding butter after cooking keeps it luxuriously rich without making the rice greasy or mushy.

How to Serve Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe

buttery seasoned rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or green onions over the top for a fresh, bright pop. Sometimes a few lemon zest shreds go a long way to brighten up the richness. If I want to get fancy, I toast some pine nuts or slivered almonds to add a bit of crunch.

Side Dishes

This buttery rice pairs effortlessly with so many things — grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, sautéed shrimp, or stews like beef bourguignon. When I’m in a hurry, a stir-fry tossed with soy sauce and veggies works too. It’s a total crowd pleaser!

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I sometimes mold the rice into mini domes with a small bowl or ramekin, then invert them onto plates for a pretty presentation. Garnish with herbs and a drizzle of browned butter for an elegant touch. It always impresses guests without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I cool leftover Buttery Seasoned Rice quickly after it’s done, then transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge. It stays tasty for up to 4 days — just make sure to reheat thoroughly. I like to sprinkle a few drops of water and cover it when microwaving to keep the moisture.

Freezing

This rice freezes nicely, which is a lifesaver on busy weeks. I portion it into freezer bags or containers and it keeps for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen with a bit of added moisture.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm it in a covered skillet with a splash of broth or water, stirring occasionally until fluffy and heated through. This method keeps the rice from drying out or sticking, unlike microwaving alone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use brown rice for this Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe?

Yes! The recipe works well with brown rice but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and water ratio, typically about 40–45 minutes and more water, as brown rice takes longer to soften. I recommend checking package instructions and adjusting seasonings as needed.

What’s the best way to prevent mushy rice?

The key is to measure your water carefully and not lift the lid during cooking, so the steam stays trapped. Also, letting the rice rest off heat with the lid on lets any extra moisture evenly absorb, resulting in fluffy grains.

Can I make this recipe in a rice cooker?

Absolutely. Use the same rice-to-water ratio and add all the seasonings and butter right into your rice cooker. Cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions and fluff with a spatula once done. It’s a perfect hands-off option!

How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

To make this Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe vegetarian or vegan, substitute the chicken powder with a vegetable bouillon or broth powder. Swap the butter for a plant-based butter or olive oil. Both changes work wonderfully while keeping that rich, seasoned flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe has been a staple in my cooking repertoire for years because it’s that reliable dish that always hits the spot. It’s simple, flavorful, and comforting — the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate. I can’t recommend it enough for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress friends without breaking a sweat. Try it out and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen, too!