15 Easy Friday Rice Cooker Recipes You’ll Love

Fridays are for easy, flavorful meals, and a rice cooker can make dinner effortless.

Beyond cooking perfect rice, a rice cooker can prepare entire meals — from savory one-pot dishes to hearty casseroles and even steamed desserts.

This collection of 15 Friday rice cooker recipes offers simple, delicious, and stress-free options to end the week on a tasty note.

Each recipe is designed for convenience, full of flavor, and perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.

Discover how your rice cooker can transform Friday meals into easy, satisfying feasts

15 Easy Friday Rice Cooker Recipes You’ll Love

Rice cooker recipes make weeknight dinners simple, flavorful, and versatile.

These 15 Friday recipes prove that your rice cooker can do more than cook rice — it can create one-pot meals packed with taste.

From hearty mains to creative side dishes, these recipes make cooking effortless while delivering delicious results.

Perfect for busy Fridays or casual weekend dinners, they bring convenience, flavor, and satisfaction to your table.

Enjoy the ease and versatility of these rice cooker recipes while savoring delicious Friday meals.

Rice Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Pilaf

This Rice Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Pilaf is a one-pot, comforting dish perfect for Friday dinner.

Tender chicken, fragrant rice, and colorful vegetables cook together to create a flavorful, aromatic meal.

The rice cooker ensures perfectly cooked rice every time while keeping the dish moist.

Ideal for a hassle-free, cozy dinner after a busy week.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 pound chicken breast, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 cup peas
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

• Turn on the rice cooker and select the sauté function (if available) or preheat on the stove.
• Heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
• Add diced chicken and cook until lightly browned.
• Stir in rice, carrot, peas, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine.
• Close the lid and set the rice cooker to “Cook” mode.
• Once cooking is complete, allow the pilaf to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This Chicken and Vegetable Pilaf is fragrant, tender, and well-balanced.

Perfect for a Friday dinner that is simple yet satisfying.

The rice cooker makes preparation easy while delivering a delicious, wholesome meal.

Rice Cooker Vegetable Fried Rice

This Rice Cooker Vegetable Fried Rice is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dish.

Fresh vegetables, eggs, and soy sauce create a colorful and savory meal.

Using a rice cooker ensures even cooking and a perfectly fluffy texture.

Perfect for a Friday night dinner or a quick weekend lunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the rice cooker on the “Sauté” setting if available, or use the stove for initial cooking.
• Add sesame oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
• Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
• Push vegetables to the side and pour in beaten eggs, scrambling gently.
• Add cooked rice and soy sauce, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
• Close the lid and let sit on the “Warm” setting for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with green onions before serving.

This Vegetable Fried Rice is colorful, tasty, and satisfying.

Perfect for a quick and easy Friday dinner or weekend meal.

The rice cooker simplifies preparation while maintaining a delicious texture and flavor.

Rice Cooker Jambalaya

This Rice Cooker Jambalaya is a hearty, spicy, and comforting one-pot meal.

Rice, sausage, shrimp, and vegetables combine with bold Cajun flavors for a flavorful dinner.

The rice cooker ensures evenly cooked rice while infusing the dish with spices.

Ideal for a Friday night dinner or weekend gathering with friends and family.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the rice cooker on the “Sauté” function if available, or use a pan for initial cooking.
• Heat olive oil and brown sausage slices.
• Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, sautéing until softened.
• Stir in rice, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
• Pour in chicken broth and mix thoroughly.
• Close the lid and set the rice cooker to “Cook” mode.
• When cooking is complete, add shrimp and let sit on “Warm” for 5 minutes until shrimp is cooked through.

This Rice Cooker Jambalaya is spicy, hearty, and full of flavor.

Perfect for a Friday dinner or weekend meal with a Cajun twist.

The rice cooker makes preparation simple while maintaining a perfectly balanced dish.

Rice Cooker Lemon Herb Salmon with Rice

This Rice Cooker Lemon Herb Salmon with Rice is a light, flavorful, and healthy Friday dinner option.

Salmon fillets cook atop a bed of fragrant rice infused with herbs and lemon.

The rice cooker ensures tender, moist fish and fluffy rice without extra effort.

Ideal for a hassle-free, elegant meal that requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups water or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker with water or broth.
• Season salmon fillets with thyme, dill, salt, and pepper.
• Gently place salmon fillets on top of the rice.
• Scatter lemon slices and garlic over salmon.
• Close the rice cooker lid and set to “Cook” mode.
• Once cooking is complete, allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This Lemon Herb Salmon with Rice is tender, aromatic, and delicious.

Perfect for a light, healthy Friday dinner or weekend meal.

The rice cooker makes it effortless while delivering perfectly cooked fish and rice.

Rice Cooker Coconut Curry Rice with Vegetables

This Rice Cooker Coconut Curry Rice is creamy, fragrant, and packed with vegetables.

Coconut milk and curry powder infuse the rice with bold, exotic flavors.

Perfect for a cozy Friday dinner or a flavorful weekend meal.

The rice cooker ensures even cooking while blending the curry flavors with rice and vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup bell peppers, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker.
• Heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and bell peppers until slightly tender.
• Add curry powder and stir for 1 minute.
• Pour coconut milk and vegetable broth over rice, then mix in sautéed vegetables.
• Close the rice cooker lid and set to “Cook” mode.
• Once finished, allow the rice to sit on “Warm” for 5 minutes before serving.

This Coconut Curry Rice with Vegetables is aromatic, creamy, and flavorful.

Perfect for a vegetarian Friday dinner or weekend comfort meal.

The rice cooker makes preparation easy while blending spices, coconut milk, and vegetables seamlessly

Rice Cooker Chicken Biryani

This Rice Cooker Chicken Biryani is a fragrant, flavorful one-pot meal perfect for Friday dinner.

Tender chicken, aromatic spices, and basmati rice cook together to create a rich, layered dish.

The rice cooker ensures evenly cooked rice while blending all the flavors perfectly.

Ideal for a hassle-free, celebratory meal with family or friends.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 pound chicken thighs, diced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

• Rinse basmati rice and place in the rice cooker.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
• Add chicken, turmeric, garam masala, cumin, salt, and pepper; cook until lightly browned.
• Stir in tomatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes.
• Transfer chicken mixture to the rice cooker, add chicken broth, and mix gently.
• Close the rice cooker lid and set to “Cook” mode.
• Once cooking is complete, let the biryani rest for 5 minutes and garnish with cilantro.

This Chicken Biryani is aromatic, tender, and richly spiced.

Perfect for a festive Friday dinner or weekend treat.

One-pot rice cooker preparation makes it easy while preserving all the authentic flavors.

Rice Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Rice

This Rice Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Rice is sweet, savory, and a quick one-pot meal for Friday dinner.

Tender chicken cooks with vegetables, rice, and a homemade teriyaki sauce for a flavorful dish.

The rice cooker ensures perfectly fluffy rice while infusing it with the sauce.

Ideal for an easy, satisfying dinner with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 pound chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker with 2 ½ cups water.
• In a pan, heat oil and sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until tender.
• Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.
• Mix soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar to make teriyaki sauce and pour over chicken.
• Add broccoli and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Transfer chicken and vegetables mixture over rice in the rice cooker.
• Close the lid and set to “Cook” mode.

This Teriyaki Chicken Rice is savory, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced.

Perfect for a quick, flavorful Friday dinner or weekend meal.

The rice cooker ensures easy preparation while keeping rice tender and infused with sauce.

Rice Cooker Mushroom Risotto

This Rice Cooker Mushroom Risotto is creamy, rich, and indulgent without constant stirring.

Mushrooms, onions, garlic, and Parmesan cheese create a savory, aromatic dish.

The rice cooker simplifies traditional risotto while maintaining its creamy texture.

Perfect for a cozy Friday dinner or special weekend meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Arborio rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the rice cooker on the “Sauté” function if available, or use a pan to sauté.
• Heat butter or oil and sauté onion, garlic, and mushrooms until tender.
• Add Arborio rice and stir to coat with butter.
• Transfer mixture to the rice cooker and add vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Close the lid and set to “Cook” mode, checking occasionally to stir for creaminess.
• Once rice is tender, stir in Parmesan cheese if desired.

This Mushroom Risotto is creamy, earthy, and satisfying.

Perfect for a comforting Friday dinner or weekend indulgence.

The rice cooker makes risotto preparation simple while preserving rich flavors.

Rice Cooker Mexican Rice with Beans

This Rice Cooker Mexican Rice with Beans is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a Friday dinner.

Rice, black beans, corn, and spices combine for a colorful and satisfying meal.

The rice cooker ensures evenly cooked rice infused with spices.

Ideal as a main dish or side for tacos and enchiladas.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker.
• Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
• Add cumin and chili powder, stirring for 1 minute.
• Mix in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and sautéed onion mixture.
• Pour mixture over rice in the rice cooker along with vegetable broth.
• Close the lid and set to “Cook” mode.
• Garnish with cilantro before serving.

This Mexican Rice with Beans is colorful, flavorful, and hearty.

Perfect for a Friday dinner or weekend meal with a Tex-Mex twist.

The rice cooker makes preparation effortless while blending all the spices and ingredients.

Rice Cooker Seafood Paella

This Rice Cooker Seafood Paella is a flavorful, festive dish perfect for Friday dinner.

Shrimp, mussels, and fish cook with saffron, paprika, and rice for a vibrant, aromatic meal.

The rice cooker ensures perfectly cooked rice while infusing all the seafood flavors.

Ideal for a weekend treat or special occasion dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup mussels, cleaned
• 1 cup firm white fish, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups seafood broth or water
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon saffron threads (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker with seafood broth.
• Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper until tender.
• Add paprika, saffron, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in seafood mixture and pour it over rice in the rice cooker.
• Close the lid and set to “Cook” mode.
• Once cooking is complete, let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This Seafood Paella is vibrant, aromatic, and full of flavor.

Perfect for a festive Friday dinner or weekend indulgence.

The rice cooker makes preparation easy while preserving all the delicate seafood flavors

Rice Cooker Thai Coconut Chicken Rice

This Rice Cooker Thai Coconut Chicken Rice is creamy, aromatic, and full of Thai flavors.

Tender chicken cooks with jasmine rice, coconut milk, and fragrant spices for a comforting meal.

The rice cooker ensures evenly cooked rice while infusing it with coconut and herbs.

Perfect for a Friday dinner or weekend Thai-inspired feast.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 pound chicken breast, diced
• 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker with coconut milk and chicken broth.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
• Add chicken and curry powder, cooking until lightly browned.
• Stir in red bell pepper and cook for 2–3 minutes.
• Transfer chicken mixture over rice in the rice cooker and close the lid.
• Set the rice cooker to “Cook” mode and allow it to finish.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

This Thai Coconut Chicken Rice is creamy, fragrant, and flavorful.

Perfect for a comforting Friday dinner or weekend treat.

The rice cooker simplifies cooking while blending all Thai flavors seamlessly.

Rice Cooker Spicy Sausage and Rice

This Rice Cooker Spicy Sausage and Rice is bold, hearty, and full of flavor.

Sausage, vegetables, rice, and spices cook together for a satisfying one-pot meal.

The rice cooker ensures fluffy rice while letting spices infuse perfectly.

Ideal for a Friday night dinner or weekend casual meal with family.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 pound spicy sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place in the rice cooker with chicken broth.
• Heat olive oil in a pan and brown sausage slices.
• Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until tender.
• Add paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat the sausage and vegetables.
• Transfer mixture over rice in the rice cooker and close the lid.
• Set to “Cook” mode until rice is tender and all flavors meld.

This Spicy Sausage and Rice is hearty, bold, and satisfying.

Perfect for a Friday dinner or weekend comfort meal.

The rice cooker makes one-pot preparation easy while enhancing flavor infusion.

Rice Cooker Vegetable Biryani

This Rice Cooker Vegetable Biryani is aromatic, colorful, and full of Indian spices.

Rice, vegetables, and spices cook together to create a rich, flavorful dish.

The rice cooker ensures even cooking while blending all spices and vegetables.

Ideal for a vegetarian Friday dinner or weekend celebration.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup peas
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place in the rice cooker with vegetable broth.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
• Add cauliflower, peas, and carrot, cooking for 2–3 minutes.
• Stir in turmeric, garam masala, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Transfer vegetable mixture over rice in the rice cooker and close the lid.
• Set to “Cook” mode and allow the rice to finish.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

This Vegetable Biryani is aromatic, colorful, and packed with flavor.

Perfect for a vegetarian Friday dinner or weekend meal.

The rice cooker simplifies preparation while ensuring the rice and spices blend perfectly.

Rice Cooker Teriyaki Tofu Rice

This Rice Cooker Teriyaki Tofu Rice is sweet, savory, and protein-packed.

Tofu cooks with rice, vegetables, and homemade teriyaki sauce for a satisfying dish.

The rice cooker ensures fluffy rice and evenly cooked tofu infused with flavor.

Ideal for a Friday dinner or vegan weekend meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 block firm tofu, cubed
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place it in the rice cooker with 2 ½ cups water.
• Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion, garlic, carrot, and broccoli until tender.
• Add tofu and cook until lightly browned.
• Mix soy sauce, maple syrup, and rice vinegar, then pour over tofu and vegetables.
• Transfer mixture over rice in the rice cooker and close the lid.
• Set to “Cook” mode and let finish cooking.

This Teriyaki Tofu Rice is savory, slightly sweet, and satisfying.

Perfect for a vegan Friday dinner or weekend treat.

The rice cooker simplifies cooking while ensuring all flavors meld beautifully.

Rice Cooker Jambalaya with Sausage and Shrimp

This Rice Cooker Jambalaya with Sausage and Shrimp is a spicy, hearty one-pot meal.

Rice, shrimp, sausage, and vegetables cook together with Cajun spices for bold flavor.

The rice cooker ensures evenly cooked rice while infusing all ingredients with seasoning.

Perfect for a festive Friday dinner or weekend gathering.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• ½ pound smoked sausage, sliced
• ½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse rice and place in the rice cooker with chicken broth.
• Heat olive oil in a pan and brown sausage slices.
• Sauté onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic until tender.
• Add paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat.
• Transfer mixture over rice in the rice cooker and close the lid.
• Set to “Cook” mode until rice is tender and shrimp are cooked through.

This Jambalaya with Sausage and Shrimp is bold, spicy, and hearty.

Perfect for a Friday dinner or weekend celebration.

The rice cooker ensures easy, flavorful one-pot preparation with minimal effort.