Don’t underestimate the capabilities of a rice cooker. It can do so much more than just steaming white rice. As a lover of rice, writing this round-up gives me so much joy. I eat rice almost every day. Whether it be in the form of stir-fry or sushi, it doesn’t matter. Suffice it to say, my rice cooker is one of the most used appliances in my kitchen. Naturally, this list is dominated by rice-based recipes, but I also have some other dishes for you. I’m talking curry chicken, mac and cheese, and more! Yep, the rice cooker is more versatile than you think. With these amazing rice cooker recipes, you’ll never run out of dinner ideas!
1. Teriyaki Shrimp and Rice
It’s a simple dish packed with tons of flavor. Fragrant jasmine rice is given a teriyaki flair care of ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Fresh shrimp add sweetness and texture contrast to the dish. Think of it as shrimp fried rice, but it’s steamed, not fried, so it’s not as heavy on the calories. It’s budget-friendly, too! There are only a handful of ingredients, all of which are very affordable.
2. Easy Spanish Rice
Fill your burritos with this aromatic and flavorful Spanish rice. Flavor any type of rice with tomatoes, bouillon, and spices, and your Taco Tuesday will be a certified hit. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make, too, and it’s all thanks to the handy rice cooker. Seriously, you’ll just dump all the ingredients in the nifty appliance and wait as it does its magic. It’s minimal effort and maximum flavor – just the way I like it.
3. Rice Cooker Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Chicken, Andouille sausage, and Cajun rice create one of the most delicious rice dishes in the world. As much as I love it, though, I was under the impression that it was such a complicated dish. Imagine my joy when I found out it wasn’t so difficult after all. In fact, it’s actually a breeze! With the rice cooker, the complex Jambalaya couldn’t be easier to make. It just takes 45 minutes and you’re all set.
4. Spanish Rice With Chicken and Shrimp
Classic Spanish rice is a perfect burrito filling. Throw in chicken and shrimp to the mix and you get a complete, stand-alone meal. If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner that delivers flavor, this is the recipe for you. Soft and fluffy rice is cooked in chicken broth and tomatoes, flavored with seasonings, and made even heartier with chicken and shrimp. It seems like a lot, but the ingredients are dumped in the rice cooker all at once. There’s no occasional stirring or babysitting needed, either!
5. Taco Soup in the Rice Cooker
All the things you love in a taco are combined to make one thick and hearty soup. There’s rice, beans, chicken, corn, carrots, tomatoes, onions – the works! Here’s the kicker – it all comes together in just one pot and 45 minutes. If you’re in charge of tonight’s dinner but forgot to prep, you can always lean on this recipe. Trust me, it won’t disappoint.
6. Rice Cooker Asian Chicken Rice
How I love the simplicity of this dish. Tender and juicy steamed chicken meets perfectly steamed white rice. It doesn’t sound at all too exciting, but wait until you try it, especially the sauce! The flavors from ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, miso, sugar, and red chili are unbelievably delicious. In fact, I highly recommend you double the recipe for the sauce. I’ll bet you’ll want to serve it with other meat dishes as well. I know I do!
7. Quick White Rice
If you’re obsessed with rice just as I am, you can’t always rely on takeout. Learn to cook your own classic white rice. It’s easy, especially when you have a rice cooker by your side. Trust me, as long as you nail the rice to water ratio, you’re golden. The rice cooker takes care of everything else. The best part is the rice cooker can cook a ton of rice in one go. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
8. Perfect Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. If that’s your jam, you’d better master the art of cooking basmati. Thankfully, it’s very easy. This recipe even has a bunch of tips to make sure you nail it on your first attempt!
9. Scallops and Rice
Pair classic white rice with nutty and buttery scallops and what do you get? A scrumptious stand-alone meal you won’t soon forget. This one-pot rice cooker meal is fancy as can be! Rice and scallops are mixed with butter and chives, creating a stunning meal. It’s decadent and fancy, but it’s also easy enough to add to your weekly meal rotation.
10. Rice Cooker Southwest Style Quinoa
Say hello to the first of several non-rice-based dishes on this list! Quinoa is a superfood packed with nutrition, and it’s tasty to boot! I love how it adds a lovely nuttiness and crunch to my dishes. Combining it with black beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and green chile peppers, you’ll get a hearty and delicious Mexican feast.
11. Sushi Rice
Sushi in any way, shape, or form, is hands down, my favorite food in the world. Whether it’s nigiri, maki, temaki, I don’t have a preference. I love them all. Soft, perfectly flavored sushi rice is at the core of every sushi recipe. If you enjoy sushi just like me, then this sushi rice recipe is a must-try. Fortunately, you won’t have to be a sensei in Japanese cooking to nail it.
12. Rice Cooker Coconut Rice
Just the smell of coconut rice boiling in the rice cooker already makes my mouth water. The creaminess and unique flavor that coconut milk adds to rice are absolutely stunning. It’s amazing how a simple ingredient can transform basic steamed rice into an epic! The creaminess is out-of-this-world amazing. You can serve it as is, or sprinkle some toasted coconut for garnish. The added crunch is the perfect finishing touch.
13. Rice Cooker Fried Rice
Making rice without actually frying rice? This simple hack is perfect if you’re craving fried rice but don’t care for the extra calories. The rice is coated in sesame oil for an aromatic flavor. It’s cooked alongside fried bacon, garlic, onion, and vegetables for added color, texture, and flavor. It’s like eating your favorite fried rice, but without the guilt!
14. Rice Cooker Chicken
Chicken and rice is a classic Asian dish. While this recipe isn’t exactly authentic, it’s 100% effective. I love how this recipe cooks both the rice and the chicken at the same time, in the same rice cooker. All you’ll need is 10 minutes of prep, and you can leave everything else to the rice cooker. Why complicate life, am I right?
15. Rice Cooker Chicken Curry
Japanese rice curry in just 30 minutes? I didn’t think it was possible, but it is! As always, we have the rice cooker to thank. This curry is extra loaded with chicken, potatoes, and rice. And the flavor is spot on. It’s thick, creamy, savory, spicy, and everything you can ever ask for.
16. Rice Cooker Vegetable Thai Curry
For this recipe, we’re also using curry, but with a Thai flair. This vegetable curry is hearty and fully loaded with flavor, proving that you don’t necessarily need meat to make a complete dish. Unlike Indian curries, the red Thai curry paste contains tomato, chili, garlic, shrimp paste, and galangal – a Southern Asian spice closely related to ginger and turmeric. It’s a lot different from the more popular curries, but it’s phenomenal just the same.
17. Rice Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Rice
Hearty rice, juicy chicken, and meaty mushrooms always make a great combination. Chicken and mushroom rice is a classic Chinese dish bursting with flavor. The earthy colors make the dish so appetizing, to boot. In this recipe, both chicken and mushrooms are marinated in a magnificent sauce, bringing out their lovely flavors even more.
18. Ginger Chicken and Rice
Rice and chicken make such a classic pair. If you care to make things more interesting, this recipe is a must-try. Infusing more flavor to the dish are bouillon, ginger, and coconut milk. It’s so creamy and savory with a bit of spice! The dish is topped with spinach for a pop of color and added nutrition. It’s perfection in a bowl.
19. Rice Cooker Saffron Rice
This golden rice dish is brighter than the sun! The fragrant aroma from the saffron will drive you crazy! Saffron isn’t the most budget-friendly spice, but it’s definitely worth every penny. It’s mildly sweet and earthy with a subtle floral taste. It’s just delicious!
20. Rice Cooker Mac and Cheese
Bet you didn’t know you can make mac and cheese in the rice cooker! It’s yet another proof of how versatile the rice cooker is. Rice cooker mac and cheese is just as cheesy, creamy, and delicious as any, but is a lot easier to make! Click on a star to rate it!
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