When you need a delicious and easy side dish, this Garlic Bacon Rice is perfect. With crispy bacon, plenty of mellow garlic, and fluffy white rice, your whole family will love this super simple side dish that works with so many different meals. Serve this flavored white rice with some creamy chicken, grilled chicken, seared steak, or top with a fried egg for a different brunch idea!
Start by rinsing the rice. To do this, place it in a bowl and cover with water, use your fingers to agitate the rice. Drain the water away and repeat 2-3 more times until the water stops looking cloudy. Drain the rice and set it to one side.1 ½ cup white rice
Stack the bacon up and chop it into small dice. (don't remove the fat as we want that in the dish)8 slices bacon
Add the bacon to a heavy-based saucepan, cook over medium-high heat until the bacon is crisp.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with a sheet of paper towel. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
Turn off the heat under the pan and add in the butter.2 tablespoon butter
While the butter is slowly melting, peel and slice the garlic cloves.6 garlic cloves
Turn the heat under the pan back on to low and add the garlic. Stir for 1 minute until it is fragrant but hasn't started to color.
Use a spoon to scoop out two tablespoons worth of garlic and butter and save for later.
Add the rinsed rice to the garlic and stir for 60 seconds, so the rice is well coated in the butter mixture.
Add the hot broth, salt and pepper, then stir and cover.2 ¼ cup hot broth 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper
Turn heat down to medium-low, so it is simmering very gently. Cook for 13 - 15 minutes until all the broth has been absorbed.
Turn off the heat, but leave the rice to rest with the lid still on for another 10 minutes.
Finally, stir through the crispy bacon. Transfer to a serving dish, spoon over the reserved garlic butter and serve.
Notes
The broth wants to be hot when you add it to the rice, so the rice cooks evenly and you can use vegetable or chicken broth/stock for this dish.