Monterey Rice

Elevate your mealtime with Monterey Rice, a vibrant and cheesy one-pot dish that's packed with flavor and perfect for both weeknight dinners and festive gatherings. This hearty recipe combines tender, fluffy long-grain white rice cooked in savory chicken broth with sautéed onions, green bell peppers, and optional jalapeño for a subtle kick. Toasted rice is infused with a medley of cumin and paprika before being crowned with gooey Monterey Jack cheese, creating a creamy, irresistible texture. Finished with bright cilantro, this versatile dish works beautifully as a stand-alone vegetarian meal or as a delicious complement to grilled meats. Ready in just 35 minutes, Monterey Rice is a quick, comforting crowd-pleaser you'll make on repeat.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then set it aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the chicken broth over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Keep it warm.

Step 3

In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using) and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir to coat the rice in the butter and vegetables. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is lightly golden and fragrant.

Step 6

Sprinkle the cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the rice and mix well to evenly coat.

Step 7

Slowly pour in the warm chicken broth, stirring gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 8

Cook the rice on low heat for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.

Step 9

Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Step 10

Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted and combined.

Step 11

Garnish the Monterey Rice with fresh cilantro and serve warm as a side dish or main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1213 grams (1213.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1271

Total Fat 79.50g	102%
Saturated Fat 44.30g	222%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 212mg	71%
Sodium 3390mg	147%
Total Carbohydrate 90.00g	33%
Dietary Fiber 7.30g	26%
Total Sugars 12.20g
Protein 58.10g	116%

Vitamin D 36IU	180%
Calcium 1343mg	103%
Iron 7mg	36%
Potassium 1222mg	26%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.7%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 27.5%