Easy Spanish Rice
Cook a pot of rice using chicken broth, tomato sauce, and a few seasonings to make this quick and easy Spanish Rice. It’s the perfect base for rice bowls or a delicious side dish to your favorite Mexican entrees!
Prep: 5min
Total: 25min
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 164 kcal, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 578 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 cup (APPROXIMATELY) chicken broth or stock (see NOTES below)
- 1 cup (APPROXIMATELY) tomato sauce or puree (see NOTES below)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup diced fresh tomatoes (seeded & drained (optional))
Instruction:
- In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt together olive oil and butter. Add rice and stir to coat with oil/butter. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 to 3 minutes, until rice is toasted.
- Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, oregano, and diced tomatoes (if using). Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Stir well, reduce heat to low, place lid on pot, and cook at a gentle simmer for 20 minutes (or whatever amount of time is directed on your bag of rice; see NOTES below). If rice is not quite tender or liquid is not absorbed after 20 minutes, replace lid and cook for 2 to 4 minutes longer. Remove from heat, leave covered, and allow to rest for a few minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and serve.
How to Make Spanish Rice
FAQ
What is the difference between Mexican rice and Spanish rice?
One of the main differences between these two rice dishes is that Mexican rice is fluffier and tends not to stick together. Whilst Spanish Rice is known for that rich yellow color, Mexican Rice is best known for its reddish orange hue that it gets from being cooked with cumin.
Why do you fry rice before cooking Spanish rice?
Frying it first will help prevent rice from sticking together while simmering. While rice is browning, you will start noticing a nutty aroma, which will translate into the way rice will taste. This will add another layer of flavor to the whole dish.
What does Spanish rice contain?
Mexican rice (sometimes referred to as Spanish rice or red rice in Tex–Mex cuisine), also known as arroz a la mexicana, arroz mexicano, or arroz rojo in Spanish, is a Mexican side dish made from white rice, tomato, garlic, onion, and perhaps other ingredients.
Why is my Spanish rice always mushy?
If your rice has absorbed too much liquid, the grains may have split and the starches may have given the rice a soft, gluey consistency. One way to fix that? Add even more liquid. Pour in some milk, a dash of vanilla, and spoonful of sugar, and suddenly your mushy rice is a rich rice pudding.
