Description
A flavorful and easy One Pot Mexican Rice recipe featuring long-grain rice cooked with aromatic spices, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and fresh vegetables. This hearty dish is perfect as a side or a main course and comes together quickly on the stovetop with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup frozen corn
- 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
Instructions
- Heat the Pot: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Sauté Onions: Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
- Toast Rice: Stir in the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast and absorb the flavors.
- Add Liquids and Tomatoes: Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and water to the pot.
- Season: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Bring to Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.
- Cook Rice: Let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Rest Covered: After the rice has finished cooking, remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff Rice: Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
- Add Veggies and Herbs: Stir in the chopped cilantro, frozen corn, and diced bell pepper.
- Allow to Sit: Cover the pot again and let it sit for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the corn to thaw and the bell pepper to soften slightly.
- Serve: Serve the rice warm, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- You can substitute vegetable broth to make this dish vegetarian.
- Adjust the chili powder to your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, confirm the broth and spices are gluten-free.
- Add cooked beans or shredded chicken for added protein.
