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This Creamy Golden Rice with Spiced Chickpeas is the best bowl of (healthy) comfort food. Kind of like soup, similar to a stew, but creamier with more rice. Turmeric infused golden rice made creamy with coconut milk and made “soupy” with a bit more broth than usual. Top each bowl of souper golden rice with spiced, extra crispy chickpeas, and a dollop of creamy yogurt. The perfect bowl of warming comfort food that’s also healthy and quickly made on the stove in less than an hour. Just be sure to serve with a side of fresh naan for a bowl of (easily made vegan) comfort food.
Starting the week off on a healthy, but still cozy, note with this Indian..ish inspired recipe. Somehow it’s already the second week of February and I know many of you have spring on your minds. Here in Colorado, it’s still very much winter, and very, very much comfort food kind of weather.
That said, we’re coming off a weekend of enjoying way too much ski resort food, meaning lots of french fries and cocktails, after watching my younger brother, Red, compete (and win!!!) at the Dew Tour on Saturday. I will share more details and photos in Sunday’s Favorites post, but I will say that it was such a special weekend and everyone soaked up the time together. I know I’ve said it before, but being able to watch both Malachi and Red achieve their goals, and do it together, makes me the happiest, proudest sister.
Anyway, a fun weekend spent snowboarding and eating with family means that colorful recipes full of food with all things good for us are very much needed today.
Enter this “souper” creamy golden rice. This is the ultimate bowl of healthy comfort food that’s truly just as delicious as a bowl of cheesy pasta. That’s saying a lot coming from the girl who loves both cheese and pasta more than most.
It. Is. SO GOOD. Creamy, herby, perfectly spiced, and topped with addictingly delicious crispy chickpeas…and served with naan. Of course.
Ingredients
- Salted butter
- Ground turmeric
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Long grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati
- Full fat coconut milk
- Low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- Kosher salt
- Greens such as kale, chard, or spinach
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Chickpeas
- 4 cloves garlic
- Shallots
- Ground ginger
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- Raw sesame seeds
- Fresh mint or cilantro
- Toasted naan, Greek yogurt, red harissa sauce for serving
The inspiration.
Growing up my mom would make what she called “souper rice”. Basically, it was cream of chicken soup plus a whole lot of rice. So much rice that you really couldn’t call it soup anymore…enter “souper rice”. To this day she still recalls it as one of her favorite childhood comfort foods.
I drew inspiration from mom’s souper rice and created a more Indian inspired version, made with coconut milk for extra creaminess. It’s not quite the same as mom’s canned soup version (thankfully), but it’s just as delicious. Different, but delicious.
Here is how you make this creamy golden rice.
First up, the rice. GOLDEN RICE, I’m all about some golden rice. It’s simple. Just melt a little butter, add in some turmeric, crushed red pepper, canned coconut milk (preferably full fat for extra creaminess), and water. Once boiling, stir in the rice, then add plenty of greens, cover and let the rice steam until cooked.
For the greens, you can really use whatever greens you love most. My top choices are kale, spinach, or chard. The greens steam with the rice, so you don’t even have to worry about cooking them. It’s so easy.
While the rice is cooking, you should make the chickpeas, and trust me, you do NEED the chickpeas. They add not only heartiness but a nice crunch and plenty of good flavor to this creamy rice. They’re salty, savory, and just a little hard to stop eating. Kind of like a healthier chip with crispy shallots, nutty coconut, and toasty sesame seeds too.
The secret to souper golden rice?
Once the rice is cooked, stir in a splash more broth to make the rice on the soupy side. As you are stirring, smells of turmeric, coconut, and butter will quickly hit your nose.
It’s wonderful.
Remove the rice from the heat, and simply top with a dollop of yogurt, those spiced crispy chickpeas, and plenty of fresh mint or cilantro. At this point, you should eat immediately. This dish is meant to be on the soupy side, meaning there should still be broth around the rice. The rice will soak up the broth if it sits too long. So enjoy it right away, it will be just perfect.
So much flavor. Extra creamy. A touch crunchy. So delicious.
How are the leftovers?
The leftovers are just as good, but a little different. Even though this is best right off the stove, the leftovers are still so delicious. The rice becomes more like risotto and when heated up, makes for the perfect lunch the next day. Love a dish that you can enjoy for dinner one night and lunch the following day!
If you’d like to make this a little heartier, try adding a fried or soft boiled egg. Or serve alongside last week’s lemon garlic chicken. That would be so good.
And that’s it. The simplest, healthy bowl of winter comfort food. Hope you all enjoy!!
If you make this creamy golden rice with spiced chickpeas, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Souper Creamy Golden Rice with Spiced Chickpeas
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 1080 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (using vegan butter or olive oil, if desired)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 cups long grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati
- 1 (14 ounce) can full fat coconut milk
- 2-2 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 2 cups roughly torn greens such, as kale, chard, or spinach
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 (16 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and patted dry
- 2-4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
- 2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup fresh mint or cilantro
- toasted naan, Greek yogurt, and red harissa sauce, for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the rice. Melt the butter, turmeric, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium pot over high heat. Add the rice and toss to coat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of broth, the coconut milk, and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Add the greens on top of the rice, but do not stir. Place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook ten minutes on low and then turn the heat off completely. Let the rice sit, covered, for another 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, make the chickpeas. Heat a large, high sided skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, chickpeas, garlic, shallots, ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until the chickpeas are crisped all over, about 8-10 minutes. Add the coconut flakes and sesame seeds, tossing to combine. Cook 2 minutes, until toasted, remove from the heat.3. When the rice is cooked, switch the heat onto low, add additional broth 1/2 cup at a time until the rice is creamy, but with just a touch of liquid. Taste, adding salt as needed.4. To serve, divide the rice among bowls and spoon the chickpeas overtop. Serve with naan, yogurt, and fresh mint or cilantro. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on February 10, 2020
Thanks so much for the recipe Tiehgan! I’m looking to add a meal a week that isn’t focused on meat and this was a perfect find. My kids first stuck their nose up at it but ended up loving it. So flavourful!
Thank you so much Patrice!! So glad you all enjoyed this! xTieghan
AMAZING! I absolutely love your recipes that have so much spice to them. And this one is no exception. It looks divine! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Linger! xTieghan
Recipe looks really good; I’ll make as a nice side with the garlic chicken.
Yes! Thank you Joyce! xTieghan
Can this be made with cauliflower rice – i’m trying to keep on the carb free – shedding a few pounds… ?
thanks
Jocelyn
Hi Jocelyn! Sure, but I would omit all of the water and only use about 1/2 cup of coconut milk. I think that should work nicely. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Made it today and loved it! It was simple and fast and packed with flavor!
However, I changed a few ingredients: I completely omitted the butter and used oat cream instead of coconut milk instead, since I am not a fan of neither. I also altered the step of chickpea preparation and roasted it in the oven instead, were just as crispy 🙂
Thank you so much for trying this Juls! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I was wondering about using brown rice too. Maybe brown basmati? Also, I wonder if using my Instant Pot, but this recipe doesn’t look very adaptable to that. Advice?
Hi Vivian! I would use 2 cups broths and add 30 minutes to the rice cooking time. This is just an estimate, but I think it should work well!
For the instant pot, I am not sure on directions as I have not tested the recipe for this and do not feel comfortable advising. I am sorry!!
Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
This is definitely not vegan! You could substitute coconut oil for the butter!
Hi Rebekah! I gave vegan options next to the butter, so that it can be made vegan! Thanks! xTieghan
Found tonight’s dinner! Thank you!
Thank you Talia! xTieghan
Yes, I too would like to make with brown rice. Cooking time and liquid amount help please.
Hi Cindy! I would use 2 cups broths and add 30 minutes to the rice cooking time. This is just an estimate, but I think it should work well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Can you recommend cooking time and liquid if i want to use brown rice?
thanks!
Hi there! I would use 2 cups broths and add 30 minutes to the rice cooking time. This is just an estimate, but I think it should work well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
@Nan, try olive oil or coconut oil in place of butter. There are also dairy free, soy based yogurts by Silk and Stonyfield in the U.S. One of those should work well in the naan.
Nice one Tieghan! And congrats to your brothers! 🙂
look so good
Thank you Ruth! xTieghan
I had your Sheet Pan Shawama last night and it was fabulous. Now I know what’s for dinner tomorrow night. Thanks for all the good recipes.
Thank you! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This recipe is worth trying for, it’s healthy and delicious.
Thank you so much Paul! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I love the recipe but you say it’s naturally vegan? Both butter and yogurt are dairy products.
Can you recommend a substitute that isn’t called vegan butter? I follow traditional Christian fasts and Lent is nearly here. I can eat this for the next couple of weeks but would love to make it during Lent.
The problem is that I can’t use anything that pretends to be butter, whether it says new butter flavor or vegan butter.
Last year someone helpful told me I could go to the local vegan butcher shop and it doesn’t matter how many vegetables they butcher, they pretend to be a butcher shop and sell plant based foods under the names of meat products.
At the same time, I’m told I can eat imitation crab even though I know it’s whitefish pretending to be crab.
Do you have any suggestions for a substitute? This looks really amazing and I have everything but greens and shallots, I think. The Naan is frozen from Trader Joe’s but I need to use what I have before making it myself.
Congrats to Red and friend. I can’t pretend I understood anything in the article I read but that Red took Gold and his friend nearly got it from him which would’ve been an even more amazing comeback story! Getting back on the slopes after his accident is incredible, a spot on the podium is icing on the cake! Do you have a recipe for silver medal cake?
Hi there! You can use vegan butter and of course just leave off the yogurt…now the recipe is vegan!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan