Chimichurri Rice Recipe
Fluffy basmati rice tossed with fresh basil chimichurri, carrots, green peas and paprika. This easy chimichurri rice recipe is a colorful, herb-packed side dish made with everyday ingredients and a lighter homemade sauce.
Author: Sheeba
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 large tomato
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup green peas
- ¼ cup carrots, diced
- 1 bouillon cube
- ¼ cup basil chimichurri or red chimichurri (link to recipe below)
STEP BY STEP IMAGES
Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!
Instructions
Soak basmati rice
- Rinse and soak 1 cup Basmati rice in a bowl of water for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Make chimichurri sauce
- Make fresh basil chimichurri sauce using this recipe, which takes 5-10 minutes. Alternately, you can also make red pepper chimichurri if you can afford to spend some extra time to roast the peppers.
Sauté vegetables
- Finely dice 1 medium onion and mince 3 cloves garlic. Dice 1 large tomato.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a deep pot. Add the chopped onions and stir on medium flame until they turn translucent.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes until it starts to brown.
- Now add¼ cup green peas and ¼ cup carrots, diced (and any other vegetables if using). Stir for a minute until combined.
Add rice
- Drain the soaked basmati rice and stir in along with the vegetables.
- Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 bouillon cube and 1¾ cups of water.
Boil
- Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil. Reduce the flame to low and cover the pot.
- Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes and turn off the stove.
Add chimichurri
- Let the rice rest for 5 minutes before opening.
- Add ¼ cup basil chimichurri or red chimichurri.
- Gently stir with a thin spatula or fork until the rice, vegetables and chimichurri are combined.
- Enjoy homemade chimichurri rice with your favorite protein. (For pairing suggestions, take a look at the post above.)
Notes
- If you want more umami taste, add a tablespoon of tomato paste when you mix in diced tomatoes.
- You can add edamame along with green peas for added flavor and protein.
- Sometimes I replace smoked paprika with sweet paprika for a bit of sweet and spicy flavor in my rice.
Nutrition Facts
Chimichurri Rice Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
269.8
% Daily Value*
Fat
4.1
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
0.6
g
4
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2.7
g
Cholesterol
0.04
mg
0
%
Sodium
252.3
mg
11
%
Potassium
267.7
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
44.4
g
15
%
Fiber
2.5
g
10
%
Sugar
3.5
g
4
%
Protein
4.9
g
10
%
Vitamin A
1908.7
IU
38
%
Vitamin C
13.1
mg
16
%
Calcium
34
mg
3
%
Iron
0.8
mg
4
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.