Meals That Go With Rice: 12 DELICIOUS Dinners!
Need some ideas for meals that go with rice? I’ve got you covered! From warming, spicy chilli con carne, to creamy garlic chicken, and with veggie friendly options thrown in, these are the best dinners to serving with a generous helping of fluffy rice…
What are the best meals that go with rice?
There are so many delicious main courses that can be served with rice, from tasty cuisines right around the world! If you love chicken, you might want to try creamy garlic chicken, sweet and sour chicken, lime and coriander chicken, firecracker chicken, and Thai green chicken curry.
Some tasty vegetarian meals that go with rice include halloumi kebabs with tzatziki, and herby mushroom stew.
Other ideas include chilli con carne, beef bourguignon, Hungarian pork goulash, beef stifado, and Goan prawn curry.
Keep reading to get more inspiration, plus the best tried and tested recipes for you to make at home…
1. Chilli con carne
My chilli con carne recipe is such a popular choice amongst my family and friends, and it’s one of those meals that just oh so comforting. Best of all, it’s a pretty hands off dinner, so it’s ideal for both busy weeknights and weekends when you have guests visiting and don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen.
Serve it spooned over your rice, and add any extra garnishes that you might love. I like to add fresh chopped chillis, coriander, and a squeeze of lime juice. Go the extra mile by serving alongside soured cream, guacamole, and grated cheese.
2. Beef bourguignon
Beef bourguignon is another comfort food classic, and I just love making this beef bourguignon slow cooker recipe on a cold Sunday afternoon as an easy but satisfying alternative to a traditional roast dinner. It’s often served with mashed or roasted potatoes, but it’s just as good spooned over a bowl of white rice.
It’s a traditional French dish with beautifully tender beef, baby onions, bacon lardons, and mushrooms. I like to add plenty of baby carrots, as they end up deliciously soft and sweet by the time the meal has cooked. So good!
If you want to add some extra sides and accompaniments to the table, check out my guide to what to serve with beef bourguignon!
3. Creamy garlic chicken
Garlic lovers will absolutely adore this creamy garlic chicken recipe! You’ll smother tender chicken breasts with a rich, luxurious sauce that’s loaded with garlic and balanced with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Serve on top of your rice for an easy but filling meal that’s ideal for a weeknight. I like to add a splash of colour to the plate, and my go to choices are a green salad, roasted broccoli, or carrots and beets.
4. Hungarian pork and pepper goulash
Goulash is a traditional Hungarian stew with smoked paprika and a variety of fresh vegetables. It’s comforting and warming, and it’s another delicious example of meals that go with rice!
This easy Goulash recipe uses pork tenderloin, and red and green peppers. It takes just 25 minutes, but it’s impressive enough to be served at a dinner party.
5. Sweet and sour chicken
Sweet and sour chicken is always my favourite order from a Chinese takeaway, and you just can’t beat that sticky, satisfying sauce, loaded with plenty of colourful veggies and tender bitesized chunks of chicken.
Better still, you can make it at home with ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry! This sweet and sour recipe is Hong Kong style, which means that the chicken is dredged in a flavoursome coating then fried until it’s awesomely crispy, before being covered in the tangy sauce.
Create a real feast by serving with rice, prawn crackers, and spring rolls. For more ideas, visit my guide to sides for sweet and sour chicken.
6. Herby mushroom stew
This herby mushroom stew is a great choice if you want a vegetarian meal that goes with rice. Store-cupboard staples like balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and red wine are used to create a deeply savoury sauce that perfectly complements the earthy flavour of the mushrooms.
Serve it with rice, a garnish of fresh parsley, and a portion of your favourite green vegetables.
It’s rich and hearty, and even the meat eaters at the table won’t feel like they’re missing out on anything. The delicious smells that will fill your home as the stew cooks are an added bonus, and they’ll ensure that everyone just can’t wait to dig in!
7. Halloumi kebabs and tzatziki sauce
For seriously summery vibes, serve halloumi kebabs and tzatziki sauce with rice! It’s the kind of fresh, colourful, and vibrant meal that you might find when holidaying on a Greek island, and it’s also super fun to prepare. You don’t even need to follow a recipe, and it’s a wonderful way to get the kids involved in the kitchen.
Just cut bitesized chunks of your favourite vegetables – peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and courgette are all good choices – and carefully skewer on to sticks with chunks of halloumi cheese.
Brush with a little olive oil, and grill until slightly charred and golden. If you like, you can experiment with marinading your cheese and veggies in various herbs and spices.
8. Firecracker chicken
If you love spicy food, you need to try firecracker chicken! The sauce is sweet yet spicy, and you can play around with the spice levels so it suits your whole family. I love hot food, so I like to add extra chopped red chillis asa garnish before serving.
This recipe creates a dish that you might recognise as being similar to the popular menu option in Wagamamas, and it’s lovely when served with rice.
9. Thai green curry
If you love fragrant curries packed with healthy veggies, Thai green curry is a fantastic choice for meals that go with rice. You can make it with chicken, prawns, or keep it vegetarian if you like by using tofu or just a wider selection of your favourite vegetables.
Be sure to add fresh herbs, chopped nuts, and lime wedges at the table. For more ideas, visit the best side dishes for Thai curry.
10. Greek style beef stifado
Beef stifado is a heartwarming Greek stew made with lots of baby shallot onions and an intense tomato based sauce. It’s comforting and bursting full of flavour, and though it’s commonly served with pasta or potatoes, it’s just as good when served with rice.
If you like, you can also serve with some crusty bread, and a feta cheese salad.
Though it takes around 2 hours to make, it’s relatively hands-free once you’ve done your preparation. Do take the time to cook the beef in batches, as this is key to tender, melt-in-the-mouth morsels.
11. Lime and coriander chicken
This lime and coriander chicken recipe is fragrant and zesty, and it’s a fantastic way to make use of chicken breasts. The acidity of the lime tenderises the meat, giving you beautiful morsels of tasty goodness.
Served with shredded iceberg lettuce, creamy avocado, chilli flakes, and of course a helping of fluffy white rice, it makes for a healthy dinner that compromises nothing when it comes to flavour.
12. Goan prawn curry
This Goan prawn curry is one of my favourite curries to make at home, and it’s just as good as many dishes that you’ll find in your local curry house! It’s perfect with rice, naan bread, and homemade onion bhajis.
If you like to enjoy curries and rice at home, it’s easy to fall into the trap of just making a couple of your favourites over and over again. When you get experimental though and venture into authentic curries of different regions, you’ll be rewarded with so many delicious dinners that keep your regular meal plans varied and exciting.
The most delicious main courses to serve with rice
If rice is your favourite side dish, there’s no shortage of delicious and varied main courses that you can serve it with. These include:
- Warming, spicy chilli con carne
- Curries, including Thai and Goan
- Takeaway style sweet and sour chicken
- Greek inspired rich, tomatoey beef stifado
- Summery halloumi and veggie kebabs with garlicky tzatziki sauce
For more meal planning ideas and inspiration, take a look at meals to serve with roast potatoes, meals to serve with chips, and meals to serve with garlic bread.
