30+ Amazing Lunch Rice Recipes That Will Make Your Taste Buds Dance!

Are you ready to take your lunch game to a whole new level? Rice can be so much more than a boring side dish; it can be the star of your meal! Let’s explore some mouthwatering rice recipes that will have you excited for lunch every day.

Spicy Thai Basil Fried Rice

Spicy Thai Basil Fried Rice

Spicy Thai Basil Fried Rice from Tiffy Cooks

Ingredients: 20 min

Thai Basil Fried Rice

Thai Basil Fried Rice from Seonkyoung Longest

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 8 min

Thai Basil Fried Rice

Thai Basil Fried Rice from Little Spice Jar

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 20 min

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This dish bursts with flavor and a delightful kick! Made with fragrant jasmine rice, fresh basil, and a mix of colorful veggies, this Thai classic is stir-fried with a spicy chili sauce that will awaken your taste buds. What makes it special is the balance of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, creating a captivating taste experience.

Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani Recipe

Chicken Biryani Recipe from Swasthi's Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Fried onions, basmati rice, biryani masala, star anise, pot Total Time: 1 hr 25 min.

Better Than Restaurant Chicken Dum Biryani

Better Than Restaurant Chicken Dum Biryani from Ministry of Curry

Rating: 4.2. Ingredients: Skinless chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, basmati rice, biryani masala, star anise Total Time: 1 hr 30 min.

Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani from RecipeTin Eats

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Chicken thighs, basmati rice, star anise, sweet, green Total Time: 1 hr 20 min.

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Transport yourself to the streets of India with this aromatic dish! Chicken biryani combines tender chicken marinated in spices, layered with fluffy basmati rice, and cooked to perfection. The blend of saffron and cardamom infuses a heavenly aroma that makes this dish a popular favorite at family gatherings and festive occasions.

Mexican Rice Bowl

Mexican Rice Bowl

Mexican Rice Bowl from Hilda's Kitchen Blog

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Flank steak, canned black beans, brown rice, sour cream, avocado Total Time: 45 min.

Mexican Rice Bowl

Mexican Rice Bowl from Hint of Healthy

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Black beans, sour cream, shredded beef, bell peppers, mexican rice Total Time: 1 hr.

Easy Mexican Rice Bowl recipe

Easy Mexican Rice Bowl recipe from Thrifty Frugal Mom

Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: Roasted butternut squash, black beans, sour cream, pepper jack, tortilla chips Total Time: 25 min.

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Get ready for a fiesta in a bowl! This vibrant dish features seasoned rice topped with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and avocado. The zesty lime dressing adds a refreshing twist, making it a perfect choice for a filling yet light lunch that’s full of colorful flavors.

Vegetable Paella

Vegetable Paella

Vegetable Paella from Cookie and Kate

Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: Grain brown rice, white wine, red bell peppers, fire roasted, kalamata olives Total Time: 1 hr 15 min.

Spanish Vegan Paella

Spanish Vegan Paella from Vegan Huggs

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Arborio rice, lemon, red bell pepper, smoked paprika, tomato Total Time: 45 min.

Vegetable Paella

Vegetable Paella from Feasting At Home

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Artichoke hearts, tomato sauce, frozen green peas, arborio rice, leek Total Time: 1 hr.

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Bring the taste of Spain to your kitchen with this stunning dish! Vegetable paella is a beautiful medley of saffron-infused rice, bell peppers, peas, and artichokes. Its unique cooking technique involves simmering the rice until it forms a crispy bottom layer, known as “socarrat,” which adds an irresistible crunch to every bite.

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls from Oh Sweet Basil

Rating: 4.1. Ingredients: Brown rice, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, avocado Total Time: 40 min.

Easy Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon, Cucumber, and Avocado Rice Bowls Recipe

Easy Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon, Cucumber, and Avocado Rice Bowls Recipe from Serious Eats

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Brown rice, teriyaki sauce, avocado, salmon fillets, japanese cucumber Total Time: 15 min.

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls from Sailor Bailey

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Teriyaki sauce, grain white rice, edamame, avocado, sriracha Total Time: 22 min.

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This dish is a delicious balance of savory and sweet! Tender salmon is glazed with homemade teriyaki sauce and served over a bed of fluffy rice, accompanied by steamed broccoli and sesame seeds. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a satisfying and nutritious meal for any lunch.

Curried Coconut Rice with Chickpeas

Easy Chickpea Curry with Coconut Rice(20 Minute Meal)

Easy Chickpea Curry with Coconut Rice(20 Minute Meal) from Delish Knowledge

Ingredients: 20 min Total Time: easy chickpea curry with coconut rice(20 minute meal).

Easy Chickpea Curry with Coconut Rice

Easy Chickpea Curry with Coconut Rice from How Sweet Eats

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 30 min

Creamy Coconut Rice with Spiced Chickpeas

Creamy Coconut Rice with Spiced Chickpeas from Make It Dairy Free

Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: 30 min

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Take your taste buds on a tropical adventure! This recipe features rice cooked in creamy coconut milk, infused with aromatic spices and paired with protein-rich chickpeas. It’s rich, comforting, and absolutely delightful, making it a popular choice for those who love a bit of warmth in their meal.

Spinach and Feta Rice Casserole

Rice recipes - rice meal recipes for dinner

Rice recipes – rice meal recipes for dinner from RecipeTin Eats

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Chinese ham bone, wild rice salad, fried rice, greek chicken, broccoli chicken rice

Rice Recipes: Jeweled Rice Pilaf

Rice Recipes: Jeweled Rice Pilaf from Love and Lemons

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Wild rice, white wine vinegar, fresh orange juice, maple syrup, roasted chickpeas Total Time: 32 min.

Healthy rice recipes

Healthy rice recipes from BBC Good Food

Ingredients: Brown rice

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Comfort food at its finest! This casserole combines fluffy rice with fresh spinach, tangy feta, and a hint of garlic, all baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a great way to sneak in some greens and enjoy a hearty dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Italian Risotto with Mushrooms

Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom Risotto from Love and Lemons

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 45 min Total Time: 45 min.

Italian Mushroom risotto (Risotto ai funghi)

Italian Mushroom risotto (Risotto ai funghi) from Theeuropeandish.com

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 50 min Total Time: 50 min.

Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom Risotto from Vincenzo's Plate

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 30 min Total Time: 30 min.

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This creamy dish is like a warm hug on a plate! Risotto is made by slowly cooking arborio rice in broth until it’s perfectly creamy, then mixed with sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. The technique of slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it a beloved classic in Italian cuisine.

Jamaican Jerk Rice

One Pot Caribbean Jerk Chicken & Rice

One Pot Caribbean Jerk Chicken & Rice from Immaculate Bites

Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: Chicken thighs, coconut milk, red kidney beans, whole scotch bonnet, jerk seasoning Total Time: 1 hr.

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Jamaican Rice and Peas from Food & Wine

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Unsweetened coconut milk, grain white rice, scotch bonnet pepper, dried kidney, fresh ginger Total Time: 2 hr.

Jerk Chicken and Rice

Jerk Chicken and Rice from Kwokspots

Ingredients: Red beans, chicken quarters, brown rice, coconut milk, liquid smoke Total Time: 50 min.

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Get ready for a flavor explosion! This dish features rice cooked with spicy jerk seasoning, giving it a tantalizing kick. Paired with grilled chicken or vegetables, it’s a popular choice that showcases the bold and vibrant flavors of the Caribbean.

Lemon Herb Quinoa Rice Salad

Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad

Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad from Julia's Cuisine

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 1 h 5 min Total Time: 1 h 5 min.

Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing

Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing from Melissa Altman-Traub

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 10 min Total Time: 10 min.

Sweet Lemon-Herb Quinoa Salad

Sweet Lemon-Herb Quinoa Salad from Perry's Plate

Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: 4, 5(2)

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Light and refreshing, this salad is perfect for a sunny lunch! Combining fluffy rice, quinoa, and a medley of fresh herbs, it’s drizzled with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. This recipe is special because it’s not only delicious but also packed with protein and nutrients, making it a wholesome meal.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice

Stuffed Peppers with Rice

Stuffed Peppers with Rice from The Seasoned Mom

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 1 h

Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers

Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers from Allrecipes

Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: 1 h 40 min Total Time: 1 h 40 min.

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers from Delish

Rating: 4.3. Ingredients: 1 h 30 min Total Time: 1 h 30 min.

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These colorful peppers are like edible bowls of goodness! Stuffed with a mixture of seasoned rice, ground meat, and veggies, then baked until tender, they’re both fun and filling. It’s a popular family dish that’s perfect for meal prep, as you can make a batch and enjoy them throughout the week.

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice from Diethood

Rating: 4.8. Ingredients: 20 min

Easy garlic butter shrimp and rice

Easy garlic butter shrimp and rice from Simply Delicious Food

Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: 25 min

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp from Gluten-Free Palate

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 25 min

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Seafood lovers, rejoice! This dish features succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, served over a bed of rice. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the flavors to shine, making it a quick and easy recipe that feels fancy enough for any occasion.