Say hello to your new favourite kale recipe – it’s time to think beyond a salad!!
There’s an enormous amount of kale hidden in amongst all that buttery, garlicky rice…. This is a terrific two-in-one side dish that will pair with almost anything and keeps for days!
A kale recipe that’s totally scoff-able
Kale is one of the nutritious plant foods in the world, and this Garlic Butter Kale Rice is a fantastic way to incorporate a LOT of kale into a dish that’s so tasty, even kale haters love it.
Really. This kale recipe is that good. Read some of the reviews from people who have tried it!
Actually, I hadn’t planned to share this recipe. I didn’t think it would be of interest to readers, but it turns out that it’s possible the most requested recipe ever! People spied this Garlic Butter Rice with Kale on the side of a Baked Chicken Breast that I shared a couple of months ago. I didn’t even mention it in the post, it was just leftovers I had in the fridge that I added to the plate just to take this photo:
That single photo triggered so many messages via email, on Facebook and Instagram I could hardly believe it!
But you spoke, and I listened. Here it is. 🙂
Little trick to make kale even tastier!
It’s a real easy recipe. The one little trick I have to make this even better is that I marinate the kale before stirring it through the rice.
Just a drizzle of olive oil and tiny sprinkle of salt followed by a 30 second massage not only softens the kale, but also adds flavour.
This is the same technique I use in my Kale and Quinoa Salad which is almost like the salad version of this kale recipe. Marinating the kale truly makes all the difference when using raw kale.
Serve this Kale Garlic Butter Rice as a side dish – it’s a great two-in one, being a carb plus greens. And it’s an excellent way to dramatically boost the amount of nutrition you take in – in a delicious way!
It will go with cuisines, even with Asian dishes! I’ve popped a few suggestions below.
– Nagi x
Try this Kale recipe with:
Any seared protein, such as Juicy Baked Chicken Breast, Honey Garlic Chicken, Baked Pork Chops, Lemon Garlic Marinated Pork Chops (Just to offer a few suggestions!)
Why kale is good for you
Kale has gained it’s status as a super food for good reason – it’s one of the most nutritious plant foods in the world. Here are just some of the health benefits of kale:
- exceptionally high amount of Vitamins A, C and K
- high in antioxidants
- help lower cholesterol which can reduce the risk of heart disease
- it has cancer fighting substances
- an excellent source of minerals that many people don’t get enough of, including calcium, potassium and magnesium
So this kale recipe is an excellent delicious way to get more nutrition into your diet!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Garlic Butter Rice with Kale
Ingredients
Marinated Kale:
- 7 cups kale sliced leaves , tightly packed (1cm / 2/5″ slices) (Note 1)
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Garlic Butter Rice:
- 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter
- 3 – 4 large garlic cloves , minced
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice (Note 2)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable)
Finishing:
- 1 – 2 tbsp (15 – 30g) butter
- 1/3 cup chopped almonds (or other nuts / seeds of choice)
Instructions
- Place kale in a large bowl. Drizzle over oil, sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and pepper. Scrunch with hands for 30 seconds, set aside while rice cooks.
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute until just starting to turn golden and is incredibly fragrant.
- Add rice, stir for 10 seconds.
- Add broth, stir, then cover.
- Turn heat down to medium or medium low so the liquid is simmering very gently. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed (tilt pot to check).
- Quickly toss all the kale on top of the rice, put the lid back on then remove from heat.
- Rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, stirring kale through.
- Lastly, stir through extra butter and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve and sprinkle over nuts (or stir nuts through rice).
Recipe Notes:
LIFE OF DOZER
And the hits just keep on coming…..
This is the inflatable cone I got after I shared the photo of Dozer looking extremely unhappy with the plastic cone, thanks to the suggestion of readers. He is definitely more comfortable…… and providing much amusement to everyone who sees him!!!
That pattern…. why? Why??!!! 😂 It looks like a pool floatie!!
Another winner Ngai. I can’t believe how tender the chicken is. I used all the juices in the tray and added a squirt of lemon juice as they were a little sweet for our taste, it was delicious poured over the chicken. I did the rice and Kale with it and we loved it all. Thanks again, this is the 2nd of your recipes in 2 days. You are making me look like a fabulous cook😀
Can I use raw almonds or should they be toasted?
Raw is totally fine too 🙂
Really enjoyed this dish! After I got the rice started, I began cooking the Honey Garlic Chicken to pair with it as suggested in the post. Very easy and tasty weeknight dinner which I am always looking for. Thanks!
Hi, I cant find brown sugar here, palm sugar is a good substitute? Or which?
Thank you for a great dish. Everyone enjoyed the dish (even with the kale) although we did add parmesan cheese. We had no leftovers!
So I was waiting for you to post this recipe since it was first photographed with your crispy chicken dish, and have been waiting to try it ever since you published the recipe a few days ago. I made it today and paired it with your crispy fish. All I can say is i have run out of adjectives to describe how good each of your recipes are so I am going to coin the term “ nagilicious” to describe anything that is out of this world fantastic!
So …this was nagilcious! My husband also loved it . And for sure I will be making this again.
Taz, consider your new term filched and added to my own lexicon! “Nagilicious”— soon to be a Maryland staple 😛
I need a blushing emoji… or one for a growing head… 😂
I’m grinning like a fool. You better stop – otherwise my head won’t fit through the door! 😂
This comment is for Dozer….my name is Penny and I am a very spoiled dog too. I tore my ACL a year ago and elected to not have the surgery. My mom put me on Nutramax DASUQUIN with MSM soft Chews and I love them. I have been on them since the accident and I run and play as if it never happened. I am 11 years old and plan to be around a long time. Take care of yourself….no more messing up your leg.
Ohhhh PENNY! Sending big hugs over to you 🙂 You deserve to be thoroughly spoilt, Princess Penny! I am so glad you are getting on ok! N xx
Made this last night & guests LOVED it, topped it with salted sunflower seeds, & kale was the added bonus – all made for an appealing presentation .
I just made this and it was delicious!
Nagi wishful thinking. No HOT water no compo, the same with heating and cooking. That’s part OF work, improvment, New pipes, haaa. One Neighbour is Just about90y, and the otherone has KIDS-05, 18 Months and from 07 am no, no gas. CANT UNDERSTAND WHY NOW? We Had extended summer perfect to do OUTDOOR work But no Logic .just Like our Poloticions. Do NOT ASK THEM to think. Anyway its behind Me. That’s WAY Ive Made Big hearty soup for me and Neighbour. Hope There Are NO more STUPEDITY.
Hello YOU to. How much longer will DOZERS BE out OF action. Rice and kale good idea. Weekend Made Big half Kg mix vege soup, Neighbour love THAT. We HAVE gas company doing mega work around area SO we Had no heating , HOT water, Or cooking from 07-04 pm two days and IT Just Had to BE MY Birthday .NOT HAPPY JANE…THEY Had to BRAKE concret 05 places Inc half OF footpath BY MY steps BY THAN I WENT out. The nose WAS near immposible. Took me two days to come Done . Now we SHOULD HAVE dry warm Sunset 04 days But shocking Cold Sat morning. HAVE goodW/End .
Nooooo!!! You seriously mean no hot water?? What the…?? make sure you get compensated by the gas company Vera. They need to pay you compensation!!!
I’ve planted the seeds, I’ve grown vast quantities of curly kale, I’ve cooked it and found whatever recipe I used in the cooking,the stuff was tough, smelt of my mother’s slow cooked stewed cabbage on Sundays, and the old taste buds said nah. I then found you had to ‘massage’ it, for gods sake. No time for all that. Out went the kale veggie patch.
I tried this last night, as I usually love all cabbage and things related, and almost fainted with utter delight- it is absolutely delicious, and will be one of my staples. I will be recommending this glorious dish to all relatives/friends overseas and here. I love, love, love it.
Big kiss to that doggie.
Angela! I love hearing that. I wish you lived near me, I would be raiding your garden!! 😎
So pleased to have found your website, made the Kale recipe tonight and absolutely loved it. Going to have it as a main sometime with some cooked prawns in it.
Can’t wait to try more of your recipes, they look amazing.
I;m so pleased you enjoyed this Jan!! Prawns would be a FABULOUS addition. I was planning to make a kale prawn fried rice next week!!
LOL Barbara take a chill pill it’s only kale. I’m not a big fan of kale either but why go on a kalerant about it. What I would do is substitute the kale with another green vegetable or even a herb like parsley. I see nothing wrong with doing that it’s still got good flavours, just omit the kale, substitute and save all that kaleanger/rant for something more important like why some people are starving in the world and would be more than grateful for kale or any vegetable for that matter.
I swear Deborah, even if you aren’t a fan of kale, you will enjoy this one 🙂 Great way to jam in loads of greens into you diet without realising!! 😂
Haha I thought it WAS pool floatie! That pattern certainly doesn’t help, I reckon a pattern of a lions mane would have looked way better 🙂
OMG it looks ridiculously doesn’t it??!! 🏊🏻♂️🏊🏻♂️🏊🏻♂️
Nagi is there another substitution to use instead of butter. I totally understand that it won’t be as delicious not using butter but only due to heath reasons. Thank you for providing us always with the most delicious and fabulous recipes. You are the queen of deliciousness in our home.
Extra virgin olive oil will be amazing Valerie! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes, thank you for trying them! N xx PS YOU are the Queen of Deliciousness in your home 🏠
Made it for dinner tonight. Family asked for seconds. This was our first experience with kale. I was skeptical, but the taste was new and interesting, so easy to cook and so simple ingridients!Gem in my collection. Rice is no longer boring.
Julia – YOU ROCK!!! Thank you for reporting back on this one!! N xx
Sugar: no wonder so many children seem to have ‘vegetable problems’ . . . they learn from their parents! Altho’ I do love my meat there is not one vegetable I do not like . . . well I find peas boring . . . . but I just cannot understand both kale and Brussels sprouts getting such a bad rap: both are delightful if prepared properly ) !
Dozer: lucky you – Mom found some very smart physiotherapy gear, flattering colour also . . . won’t you look great using that in the ocean come next summer . . . . hugs, big boy . . . .
You are so right Eha! Both have bad reps because they were prepared badly!! So Eha – did you know about the kale super powers say 10 / 20 year ago??? So curious about its origins 🙂 I remember old Italian recipes I got from Lidia’s Italy with kale in them! N xx
Nagi – I do not take this ‘superfoods jazz’ too seriously! A number of other dark green leafy vegetables are just as good . . . but it has given food gurus something ‘new’ to write about! *big smile* No, haven’t taken the time to read up or . . . . broccoli and capsicums and . . . are just as good as long we enjoy half a plate of above-ground greens on our platters: don’t fuss, don’t worry!!
Hi Dozer,
You look so much better with your new neck-wear. It has to be a better pillow than that dumb old cone thing. Hopefully you won’t have to wear it too much longer. Hugs and kisses!
Hi Nagi,
What a great mommy – making a special trip to the pet store so your baby doesn’t have to endure the humiliation of the plastic cone.
OK – I’m really not big on kale. I usually swap it out for spinach. But I will certainly give it a try with your technique.
Wait until you see the photo from today’s post… 😂
I can’t believe that collar you found! Honestly, if you threw him in a pool, he could just float for hours in that thing, don’t you think? Love it. And now he’s making a true fashion statement to boot!
I make an Asian/hoisin chicken that I think this rice/kale dish would complement really well, so I’m going to give that a try. I used to hate kale till I found out about the massaging technique– such an improvement not only in texture but also in flavor. I was amazed at the difference. In terms of this dish though, what really sells me is the addition of almonds! Sounds odd, I know, but little additions like that can really make a dish, in my opinion. Well, and butter, of course… Thanks Nagi!
I know, it’s hilarious isn’t it?? 😂