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 if desired)

There’s something incredibly comforting about a perfectly buttery, flavorful rice side, and that’s exactly what this Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe delivers. It’s simple, fragrant, and elevates even the most basic meals into something memorable.

A large white oval plate holds a single layer of cooked rice mixed with small green herbs evenly spread throughout. On top, a small dollop of butter melts slightly, adding a glossy texture near the center of the rice. The rice looks fluffy with grain details visible. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. To the right side of the plate, a wooden spoon with a warm brown color rests partially under the rice. The background also shows a soft, crumpled light green and beige cloth. 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

I remember the first time I made this buttery seasoned rice—my whole kitchen smelled amazing, and every bite was such a cozy, satisfying experience. It’s the kind of rice that never feels plain or boring. I’m excited for you to enjoy it just as much!

Elevated Flavor: Combining garlic, onion, paprika, and herbs creates a rich, well-rounded seasoning that tastes way better than plain rice.
Perfectly Buttery: Adding real butter at the end brings a luscious, silky texture and depth that make this rice irresistible.
Super Versatile: It pairs beautifully with just about anything from grilled chicken to roasted veggies or a simple salad.
Easy & Reliable: You won’t be hovering over the pot thanks to clear instructions that guarantee fluffy, tender rice every time.

The image shows a close-up of cooked rice mixed with small green herbs, creating a slightly speckled light brown and green texture. A wooden spoon is scooping some rice from a white plate with a white marbled texture background. In the center of the rice on the spoon, there is a small melting pat of pale yellow butter. The rice looks fluffy and soft with visible individual grains, and scattered green herb bits add a fresh touch. The scene is simple and cozy, focusing on the natural details of the rice and butter. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtful ingredients that blend to boost your rice’s flavor and texture. Shopping is easy, and don’t worry—you probably already have most of these in your pantry.

Flat lay of a small mound of uncooked long grain white rice, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with cold tap water, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl containing bright red paprika powder, a small white bowl with pale yellow garlic powder, a small white bowl of light beige onion powder, a small white bowl of dried green parsley flakes, a small white bowl of dried thyme leaves, a small white bowl of fine salt crystals, a small white bowl of coarse black pepper, and a small white bowl of granular chicken bouillon powder, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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: Stays fluffy and separate when cooked, perfect for this dish. You can swap for brown rice with a bit longer cooking time.
Water: Cold tap water works fine to properly cook the rice and soak in the seasoning.
Chicken powder or granulated bouillon: Adds a savory, umami richness that’s better than plain broth alone.
Garlic powder: Brings a gentle, mellow garlic flavor without overpowering.
Onion powder: Complements the garlic with a subtle sweetness and depth.
Paprika: Adds a smoky warmth and a pretty color.
Dried thyme: A touch of herbal aroma to balance spices.
Dried parsley (optional): For a pop of color and fresh flavor brightness at the finish.
Salt and black pepper: Essential to season evenly and enhance all flavors.
Unsalted butter: The star for a buttery, creamy finish—feel free to add more if you’re a butter lover like me!

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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

I like to tweak this recipe depending on what I have on hand or what I'm craving. You can easily customize the herbs or spice level to suit your taste buds. It’s forgiving and flexible, perfect for making it your own signature side!

Variation: I sometimes swap chicken powder for vegetable bouillon to keep it vegetarian, and it still turns out beautifully seasoned.
Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in fresh chopped parsley or cilantro right before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Heat it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder if you want a subtle kick of spice.
Try Different Butters: Using flavored butters (like garlic or herb butter) can add an extra layer of complexity.

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

Step 1: Combine All Ingredients Except Butter in a Saucepan

Start by putting your uncooked rice, water, chicken powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, parsley (if using), salt, and pepper into a large saucepan. Give everything a good stir so the seasonings are evenly distributed right from the start. This step helps the rice absorb all those wonderful flavors as it cooks.

Step 2: Bring to a Simmer, Cover, and Reduce Heat

Place the pan over medium-high heat and watch closely until you see gentle bubbling all around the edges and ripples across the water’s surface. As soon as it reaches that simmer point, put the lid on and lower the heat to medium-low (or low if your stove runs hot). You want a gentle simmer, not a roaring boil, so your rice cooks evenly and stays fluffy.

Step 3: Cook Without Peeking for 13 Minutes

This is the tricky part—but also key! Resist the urge to lift the lid. The steam trapped inside is what cooks the rice perfectly. After 13 minutes, tilt the pot gently and quickly peek to check if the water has evaporated. If it has, remove the pot from heat and let it rest—lid on—for 10 minutes. This rest keeps the rice fluffy and prevents it from becoming gummy.

Step 4: Add Butter and Fluff

After the resting period, add the butter. I use a rubber spatula to fluff the rice gently, mixing the melted butter through every grain. The butter adds that wonderful silky texture and juicy flavor burst in each bite. This is when it turns into a truly special dish!

Top Tip

Through trying this recipe a few times, I realized these little tricks make a big difference in achieving perfectly fluffy, flavorful rice every single time.

Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the rice sit off the heat with the lid on lets the grains finish steaming and settle — so it’s not mushy or sticky.
Control the Simmer: If your heat is too high, rice cooks unevenly or sticks. Adjust your stove early to keep a gentle simmer.
Use Good Butter: Quality unsalted butter really shines here — imparting rich, natural flavor without extra salt.
Don’t Stir While Cooking: Stirring during cooking releases starch, making the rice gummy. Patience is key!

How to Serve Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe

buttery seasoned rice - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little extra chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top—it adds a lovely pop of color and brightness. Sometimes, I add a squeeze of lemon juice for a subtle zing that balances the richness perfectly.

Side Dishes

This buttery rice pairs with so many dishes! I love it alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, sautéed greens, or even a spicy curry. It’s especially wonderful with roasted vegetables and a crisp salad for a simple but impressive meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I sometimes mold the rice using small bowls or ramekins, then invert them on plates to create neat individual servings. It makes the presentation extra polished and feels like a restaurant touch with minimal effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I transfer any leftover rice to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 4 days, so it’s great for quick lunches or as a ready-to-go side for your next dinner.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully too. I portion the rice into freezer-safe bags or containers, and it keeps for 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in the microwave with a sprinkle of water, covered to trap steam—which helps revive that fluffy texture. Stir mid-way through to distribute heat evenly. I’ve found this really keeps the rice tasting fresh and buttery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Yes, you can swap in brown rice, but keep in mind it takes longer to cook. You’ll want to increase the simmer time to about 35-40 minutes and use a bit more water to ensure it cooks through.

What’s the best butter to use in this recipe?

I recommend unsalted butter because it lets you control the saltiness of the whole dish. That said, if salted butter is what you have, go ahead and use it—just reduce added salt slightly. A good quality butter really boosts the flavor.

Can I make this rice in a rice cooker?

Absolutely! Use the same ingredients and water to rice ratio, add everything to your rice cooker, and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Stir in the butter once cooked for the best flavor and texture.

How do I avoid mushy or sticky rice?

The key is to keep the heat low once simmering, resist the urge to stir while cooking, and don’t lift the lid during the cooking and resting time. Also, letting the rice rest off the heat with the lid on allows steam to finish the cooking gently without breaking the grains.

Final Thoughts

This Buttery Seasoned Rice Recipe has become my go-to for when I want an easy but impressive side dish. It’s warm, cozy, and meets that craving for comfort food while being simple enough to make on any weeknight. Once you make it, I hope it becomes a staple for your meals too. Honestly, it feels so indulgent for how little effort it takes. You’re going to love how it transforms your dinner plate!