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.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

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 toast it by stirring frequently, allowing it to absorb the oil and turn lightly golden, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, mix the chicken broth, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 7

Pour the tomato-broth mixture into the skillet, stirring to combine with the rice. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to steam.

Step 10

Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1520 grams (1520.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	951

Total Fat 41.70g	53%
Saturated Fat 6.00g	30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.20g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4491mg	195%
Total Carbohydrate 126.40g	46%
Dietary Fiber 9.40g	34%
Total Sugars 21.00g
Protein 25.10g	50%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 220mg	17%
Iron 10mg	58%
Potassium 1915mg	41%

*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: 38.2%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 51.5%