10 Romantic Rice Recipes for a Valentine's Day Dinner

You're likely planning a low-key Valentine's Day, but a romantic dinner can elevate the occasion. You're choosing between numerous options, yet rice recipes stand out.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Rice and Creamy Chicken Rice Bake are two options, but there are eight more to weigh, making your decision more complex.

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp Rice

Garlic Butter Shrimp Rice is a flavorful and aromatic seafood dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice in a fine mesh sieve until the water runs clear.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
4. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
5. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
7. Stir in the paprika and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and serve with the garlic butter shrimp on top.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

2. Creamy Chicken Rice Bake

Creamy Chicken Rice Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups mixed vegetables
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
3. In a large skillet, sauté the chicken and mixed vegetables in butter until the chicken is cooked through.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth.
5. In a large baking dish, combine the cooked rice, chicken and vegetable mixture, and soup mixture.
6. Pour in the milk and stir until everything is well combined.
7. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve hot and enjoy.

3. Spicy Saffron Rice Dish

Aromatic saffron rice with a spicy kick.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small jalapeño pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the rice, water, saffron threads, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
8. Serve hot and enjoy.

4. Lobster Fried Rice Recipe

Lobster fried rice is a seafood twist on a classic Chinese dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup lobster meat
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 eggs
• Scallions for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and stir-fry until they are translucent.
3. Add the lobster meat and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
4. Push the lobster mixture to one side of the pan.
5. Crack in the eggs and scramble them until they are cooked through.
6. Mix the eggs with the lobster mixture.
7. Add the cooked rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with a spatula.
8. Stir-fry the rice with the lobster mixture for about 5 minutes.
9. Add the soy sauce and oyster sauce, and stir-fry for another minute.
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
11. Transfer the lobster fried rice to a serving platter and garnish with scallions.

5. Italian Herb Rice Pilaf

Savor the flavors of Italy with this aromatic herb rice pilaf.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
4. Add rice, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
5. Add chicken broth, bringing mixture to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
7. Fluff rice with a fork and stir in Parmesan cheese.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

6. Chicken Mushroom Rice Bowl

Savory chicken and mushrooms atop a bed of fluffy rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup mixed mushrooms, sliced
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and drain well.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water, and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fluffy.
4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
5. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
7. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 5 minutes.
8. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
9. Stir in the dried thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. To assemble the rice bowls, divide the cooked rice between bowls and top with the chicken and mushroom mixture.

7. Shrimp Scampi Rice Platter

Shrimp Scampi Rice Platter is a seafood twist on a classic Italian dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Cook the rice according to package instructions using 2 cups of water.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
5. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
7. Add the white wine, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the skillet.
8. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook until it has reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes.
9. Stir in the dried parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. To serve, place a scoop of cooked rice on a platter, top with the shrimp and spoon some of the scampi sauce over the top.
11. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

8. Roasted Vegetable Rice Bowl

Delicious roasted vegetables served over a bed of flavorful rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
3. Add the rice to the saucepan, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
4. In a large bowl, toss the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
6. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and divide among bowls.
7. Top the rice with the roasted vegetables and serve hot.

9. Beef Stroganoff Rice Casserole

Beef Stroganoff Rice Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook the rice according to package instructions using beef broth.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add diced onion and cook until translucent.
5. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
6. Add ground beef, cooking until browned, breaking into small pieces.
7. Add mushrooms, peas, thyme, and paprika, cooking until mushrooms are tender.
8. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, beef mixture, and shredded cheese.
9. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.
10. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

10. Lemon Herb Rice Medley

Flavorful rice dish with lemon, herbs, and a medley of textures.

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and drain well.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir in the lemon mixture.
6. Stir in the chopped parsley, dill, and scallions.
7. Serve hot and enjoy.

Conclusion

You'll savor each bite of these romantic rice recipes on Valentine's Day, with garlic butter shrimp and lobster fried rice tantalizing your taste buds. Imagining a candlelit dinner, the aroma of saffron and herbs fills the air, making your special evening unforgettable, as you indulge in creamy chicken and beef stroganoff, a truly decadent treat.