Popcorn Rice Recipe

Popcorn rice is a super easy side dish recipe that goes with almost anything.

It has a light buttery flavor, takes just minutes to prepare and is very kid friendly.


Hello folks! Today, I have another ridiculously easy, but tasty, recipe to share with you.

It was a fan favorite in my house growing up and remains one the most requested dishes in my own home today.

It's one we eat often.

So often, in fact, that in several of my food posts, the picture of the meal features a side of rice. In my last recipe post, about homemade chicken nuggets, I finally named it.

We call it Popcorn Rice.

My mom's old recipe card has it tagged as Rice Pilaf, but it is certainly not a pilaf.

It's super basic, but it's also super delicious and when it cooks in the oven, the entire house smells like warm, buttered popcorn.

Hence the name.

And yum.

When I say it's the easiest recipe ever, I'm not kidding.It requires just a few ingredients and then you pop it in the microwave or oven and voila...perfection every time.

Are you ready? Because if you blink, you might miss it.




I like a heavily flavored rice, so I go for 2 cubes and 2 tablespoons of butter.

I mix all the ingredients together in my round French White CorningWare casserole dish (like this one) and bake it on 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Microwave Rice Cheat:

When I'm really in a rush, I throw it in the microwave instead of the oven.

I pop it in for about 15-20 minutes in 5 minute intervals, but honestly, it just comes out so much better in the oven....and the aroma is so much stronger.

However, it's still very good this way and when we're running home late from some activity or practice, the microwave is a real time saver.

Either way, that's it!

That's all there is to it.

I serve it as a side with everything.

Sometimes I even toss the leftovers in a cup of broth or tomato soup for a heartier meal and if I go light on the cube and butter it is a yummy addition to our tacos, since I'm not big into spicy.

It's a very versatile side.


If you try it, let me know what you think.

And if you need at tasty entrée with it, and crave something a little more sophisticated than chicken nuggets, you can check out my recipe for chicken pizzaiola (pictured above)!

Bon (easy) appétit!