Spiced Rice With Almonds
A fragrant spiced rice dish with toasted almonds, aromatic spices, and savory chicken broth, perfect as a flavorful side for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, cook and stir slivered almonds in hot oil until light brown; remove and drain on paper towels.
- Add sliced onion and minced garlic to the saucepan.
- Cook and stir until the onion is tender, but not brown.
- Stir in uncooked rice, ground cardamom, ground ginger, ground red pepper, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and ground nutmeg.
- Cook and stir about 3 minutes to brown the rice.
- Add chicken broth to the saucepan.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes; do not lift the cover during cooking.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Stir in toasted almonds before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian alternative. You can also substitute the long grain rice with basmati or jasmine rice for a different texture. If you want a nuttier flavor, toast the almonds a bit longer until golden brown, but be careful not to burn them.
Serving Suggestions
This spiced rice pairs beautifully with Mediterranean recipes, such as Herb-Marinated Chicken or Lamb Or Chicken Kabobs. Serve it alongside a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. You can also garnish with additional toasted almonds or fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for extra flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover spiced rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to the rice and heat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spiced Rice With Almonds contains roughly 969 calories, with 8g protein, 103g carbohydrates, and 73g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (223% of the Daily Value), calcium (91% of the Daily Value), and iron (83% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. It also contributes 62g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but be aware that it will require a longer cooking time and more liquid. Typically, brown rice takes about 40-45 minutes to cook, so adjust the simmering time and broth amount accordingly.
What if I don’t have some of the spices?
If you’re missing certain spices like cardamom or nutmeg, you can either leave them out or substitute with allspice or garam masala, which may give a similar warm flavor profile. Experimenting with available spices can still yield delicious results.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the rice a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before serving, and consider adding a little more broth or water to keep it moist.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).