More substantial lump in rice melted (8)

I believe the answer is:

chunkier

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'more substantial' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are comparative adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'lump in rice melted' is the wordplay.
'lump' becomes 'hunk' ('hunk' can be a synonym of 'lump'**).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'melted' is an anagram indicator.
'rice' anagrammed gives 'cier'.
'hunk' going into 'cier' is 'CHUNKIER'.

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I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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