Rice Cooker Recipes That Work – 7 Cozy Ideas You’ll Love

Q: Can I make meals in a rice cooker?

Yes, absolutely. That’s what makes rice cooker recipes so practical for busy people. You can make full meals with rice, protein, vegetables, and broth all in one pot. Meals like garlic chicken rice, vegetable pilaf, or curry rice cook with almost no effort. Some of the most popular easy rice cooker meals use ingredients you already have at home. Just layer them, add your liquid, press cook, and walk away. For meal ideas that require zero stovetop time, check out my quick & easy recipes section.

Question 1

What else can I cook in a rice cooker?

Accepted Answer

Your rice cooker can do a lot more than cook rice. You can prepare soups, stews, oatmeal, pasta, and even steamed vegetables.
Try using it for eggs, lentils, or small cuts of meat. For example, ditalini pasta with tomato sauce cooks beautifully in a rice cooker. You’ll find a full version in this ditalini pasta recipe.
You can also make sweet recipes like cinnamon apples or rice pudding. The key is to add just the right amount of liquid and check occasionally the first time you try a new combo.

Question 2

What is the 5 5 5 rule for cooking rice?

Accepted Answer

The 5-5-5 rule isn't a universal method for rice but more of a general cooking formula used in electric pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, especially for eggs or certain grains.
When cooking rice in a standard rice cooker, use a 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio of rice to water depending on the variety. Jasmine rice typically uses 1:1.5, while brown rice requires more water and time.
Each rice cooker brand may vary slightly, so check your manual and test until you find your perfect ratio.

Question 3

Can I make meals in a rice cooker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. That’s what makes rice cooker recipes so practical for busy people.
You can make full meals with rice, protein, vegetables, and broth all in one pot. Meals like garlic chicken rice, vegetable pilaf, or curry rice cook with almost no effort.
Some of the most popular easy rice cooker meals use ingredients you already have at home. Just layer them, add your liquid, press cook, and walk away.
For meal ideas that require zero stovetop time, check out my quick & easy recipes section.

Question 4

Can you cook raw chicken in a rice cooker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can safely cook raw chicken in a rice cooker.
Just cut it into small chunks and place it directly over the rice with your seasoning and liquid. The steaming method cooks chicken evenly, and when paired with broth, it creates rich flavor throughout the dish.
This method is one of the simplest ways to make rice cooker chicken. It’s moist, flavorful, and requires no pan frying.
Make sure the chicken reaches 165°F internally. You can use a meat thermometer the first few times to confirm.
One of my go-to versions pairs chicken with garlic, rice, and frozen peas for a comforting meal in one step.

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