** Updated: 11/26/2020 **
Rice dressing also known as 'dirty rice' is one of the best holiday rice dishes. Although simple to make and just a few ingredients, this savory dish is packed with awesome flavor.
This rice dressing recipe can be served as a side dish or on its own. It's so easy to make and comes together very quickly. You can serve it with just about anything.
Ingredients
- Chicken parts such as gizzards
- Onions
- Celery
- Bell pepper
- Poultry seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Chicken broth or water to add moisture
You may not be able to find a pack that has only chicken gizzards. Most of the time, you'll find a pack of chicken gizzards that also contain hearts. In this case, I use all of the gizzards and a few hearts.
If you're looking for a rice dish to serve this Thanksgiving other than plain rice, this rice dressing recipe is ideal. It goes great with Cajun Roasted Turkey Thighs, Tender Braised Brisket, Roasted Cornish Hens, and Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Wings.
How to make rice dressing
Making rice dressing involves just a few simple steps. I love how fast this recipe comes together. It requires little effort and is a game changer when you're looking to add another side dish to your holiday spread or an alternative to dressing or stuffing.
Rice: Steam white rice
Chicken gizzards: Boil chicken gizzards and a few hearts until tender, chop them up and set aside
Vegetables: Chop celery, white onion, bell pepper, and fresh mince garlic
Putting it all together: Add butter and grape-seed oil to a skillet over medium high heat, saute vegetables until onions become translucent, add chopped chicken gizzards, and seasoning (salt and poultry seasoning) and stir. Add steamed rice to skillet and stir gently to combine all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
It's that simple. You can have a delicious side dish on your table in under 20 minutes. Make this rice dressing dish for your next holiday gathering. With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, this will make an awesome stress-free dish, and I guarantee your non-vegetarian guests will love it.
What to serve with this recipe
Rice dressing is typically served as a side dish and goes great with just about any protein (turkey, chicken, beef, pork and some seafood). It's a dish that's always included in our Holiday Feasts and that everyone enjoys. If you're not into stuffing or regular dressing like me, rice dressing is a great alternative.
While you're planning your holiday menu, do yourself a favor and include delicious and simple side dishes to accompany your main course.
Just because you're hosting, doesn't mean slaving over a stove. You're entitled to enjoy in the festivities with family and friends without feeling bogged down or stressed.
How to reheat
Although you can easily reheat rice dressing in the microwave, I prefer reheating it in the oven. Sometimes, heating food in the microwave can alter the texture and taste of certain foods, so I tend to reheat food in the oven instead.
To reheat rice dressing in the oven:
- Tear off foil paper large enough to wrap the rice dressing
- Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent the rice from sticking to the foil
- Add the rice dressing to the lightly sprayed side of the foil then wrap the rice dressing within the foil creating a packet 'so-to-speak'
- Place the packet in the 375 degree preheated oven until the rice dressing is warm
Tips
- If it's a challenge for you to make rice in a pot on top of the stove, I highly recommend investing in a rice cooker
- Boil the chicken gizzards until tender
- Do not skimp on the poultry seasoning
- Taste test along the way in case more kosher salt or poultry seasoning need to be added
You may also like
Here are a few other side dishes to serve this holiday season
and for dessert these
Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler IS A MUST
Southern Sweet Potato Pie (SECRET INGREDIENT)
For more recipe ideas and inspiration follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.
All the best,
Cree
Rice Dressing
Equipment
- Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken gizzards
- 3 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 1-1/4 tsp poultry seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
- 1 stalk celery (chopped)
- 1 clove fresh garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup water
Rice Cooker
- 3 cups white long grain rice (Jasmine Thai long grain rice or any white rice)
- 3 cups water (measure using measurements inside of rice cooker)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp grape-seed oil (extra virgin olive oil)
Instructions
- Chop onion, celery, garlic and (bell pepper if using). Set aside.
Rice Cooker Method
- Stream rice in a rice cooker (as I did), instant pot or stove-top (follow the instructions on the packaging for which ever method your using.
- Place a sieve over the rice cooker insert. Using the measuring cup that comes with the rice cooker, measure out 3 cups of rice and add it to the sieve. Remove the sieve from the rice cooker insert and run under water to clean the rice. After rice is cleaned, Pour the rice into the rice cooker insert. Add water, salt, and grapeseed oil. Place lid on rice rice cooker, plug the cord into the outlet and press the cook button (it will light up). When rice is done, the cook button will turn off AND the warm button will light up. This is for the rice cooker that I use.
Chicken Gizzards
- In a medium sized pot, fill it half way with water and place over medium to high heat. Wash chicken gizzards and chicken hearts (if you have hearts) and add to pot of water. Boil chicken parts for 30 minutes or until tender. Drain and allow to cool until you are able to handle them without them being too hot. Chop the gizzards and hearts into small bits. Set aside.
- Add grapeseed or extra virgin olive oil to a skillet over medium to high heat. Add vegetables except garlic and saute until onions are translucent about 30 seconds. Add garlic and continue to saute until fragrant. Add chicken gizzards/hearts, kosher salt and poultry seasoning and give a stir. Add rice and gently stir until all ingredients are combined. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more kosher salt and/or poultry seasoning. Add chicken broth or water for moisture. Give another gentle stir. That's it.
- Serve hot and enjoy
- Garnish with sliced green onions, parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- If it's a challenge for you to make rice in a pot on top of the stove, I highly recommend investing in a rice cooker
- Boil the chicken gizzards until tender
- Do not skimp on the poultry seasoning
- Taste test along the way in case more kosher salt or poultry seasoning need to be added
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