Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
The best Spanish Rice Recipe is here! After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick for the most flavorful, fluffy rice. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Bold Coconut Curry Shrimp That Will Wake Up Your Taste Buds and Chole Rice: A Comforting Bowl of North Indian Street Food.
Why This Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout taste
- One-pot for easy cleanup
- Flavorful and comforting
What You'll Need for Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: Chopped cilantro
- Optional: Diced tomatoes
- Optional: Sour cream
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- long grain white rice: You can also use brown rice, but it will take longer to cook.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks rice perfectly and evenly. → See on Amazon
- Rice Cooker — Ensures fluffy, perfectly cooked rice every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Add Rice: Stir in rice and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is using too much liquid. Use 2 cups of broth for 1 cup of rice to prevent mushy rice.
- Pro tip: For a healthier version, use low-sodium chicken broth and mix in some diced bell peppers with the onions.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Storing & Reheating Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat when needed.
Freezing Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
Freeze cooked rice for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add more jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the jalapeño for a milder pepper like a bell pepper.
- Make-ahead: Cook the rice ahead of time and reheat when needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your rice is still hard after simmering, add a little more broth and cook for a few more minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Makes prep work easier and safer. → Check price on Amazon
Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Add Rice: Stir in rice and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add more jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the jalapeño for a milder pepper like a bell pepper.
- Make-ahead: Cook the rice ahead of time and reheat when needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If your rice is still hard after simmering, add a little more broth and cook for a few more minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked rice for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can make this dish ahead of time and reheat when needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals FAQs
Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time and reheat when needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
The #1 reason this recipe fails is using too much liquid. Use 2 cups of broth for 1 cup of rice to prevent mushy rice.
Yes, you can freeze cooked rice for up to 3 months.
No, Spanish Rice is best cooked on the stove or in a rice cooker.
You can substitute the jalapeño for a milder pepper like a bell pepper.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Spanish Rice Recipe for Cozy Weeknight Meals and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
