Tasty Mexican Rice
Transform your side dishes with this vibrant and flavorful Tasty Mexican Rice recipe, a must-have addition to any Mexican-inspired meal! Packed with aromatic ingredients like garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, this dish gets its incredible depth of flavor from a mixture of chicken broth, tomato paste, and juicy diced tomatoes. The rice is toasted to golden perfection before simmering to tender fluffiness, creating a savory and slightly smoky base that pairs perfectly with tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats. Garnished with fresh cilantro and served with a squeeze of lime, this 35-minute recipe is as effortless as it is irresistible. Whether for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings, this easy Mexican rice recipe is guaranteed to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium (finely diced) onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup (chopped, for garnish) fresh cilantro
- 2 for serving lime wedges
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and toast it by stirring frequently, allowing it to absorb the oil and turn lightly golden, about 4-5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Pour the tomato-broth mixture into the skillet, stirring to combine with the rice. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to steam.
Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
157 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.9 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.0 g | 5% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 677 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20.8 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g | ||
| Protein | 4.1 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 39 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 303 mg | 6% | |
*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.
