Spanish Rice Dinner
Transform your weeknight meal routine with this vibrant and hearty Spanish Rice Dinner! This one-pan wonder combines fluffy, flavor-packed long-grain white rice with aromatic spices like paprika, cumin, and chili powder for a bold, smoky profile. Fresh sautéed veggies, diced tomatoes, and a hint of garlic infuse every bite with irresistible depth, while frozen peas and your choice of protein—shredded chicken, ground beef, or plant-based beans—make it a flexible yet satisfying dish. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for busy evenings, coming together in just 45 minutes. Whether you're seeking a family-friendly dinner idea or a comforting meal prep option, this Spanish rice recipe delivers wholesome, crave-worthy results every time.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 14.5-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.75 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.75 cups frozen peas
- 2 cups cooked protein of choice (e.g., shredded chicken, cooked ground beef, or beans)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or deep sauté pan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the uncooked rice to the pan. Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the rice is lightly toasted.
Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, and canned diced tomatoes (with their juice) to the pan. Stir well to combine.
Season the mixture with paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, lift the lid and stir in the frozen peas and cooked protein of your choice. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the peas are heated and the rice is tender.
Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with the chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2554 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 62.7 g | 80% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.3 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 414 mg | 138% | |
| Sodium | 5274 mg | 229% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 298.3 g | 108% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.9 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.7 g | ||
| Protein | 188.1 g | 376% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 403 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 16.4 mg | 91% | |
| Potassium | 3417 mg | 73% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
