This Simple Spanish Rice is the perfect accompaniment to Mexican foods, chicken, steak, in burritos, or all by itself!
I absolutely love rice. Most grains, really. I grew up on them. My mom was always making stir-fry recipes, pilaf, or Spanish rice (although I think she made hers with tomato paste ??)
In fact, if a bowl of rice and a bowl of pasta were sitting in front of me and I could only choose one…I’d go for the rice. Oh, yes. I can do make a meal out it, no problem.
So, it should come as no surprise that my rice cooker is one of my most beloved and used appliances. It was also my very first appliance ever owned! I got it as a gift 15 years ago. It’s a Zojirushi. I was sort of floored when they sent me a new one and was asked to work with them.
When it arrived, I jumped up and down and clapped my hands.
Paul: What did you get?
Me: A brand new Zojirushi rice cooker.
Paul: Oh wow. Are you ok? Do you want to sit down?
Me: *smirk*
Paul: So, are you going to get rid of the old one?
Me: *death stare*
Paul: I guess that’s a no?
Me: I’ve had it for 15 years! And it still works perfectly! I can’t just get rid of it….
Paul: It’s not like it’s a pet bird.
Me: Hush. Now I’ll have two. And love them both.
I immediately made this Simple Spanish Rice and also my favorite rice pilaf.
Some people scoff at the idea of a rice cooker. Why don’t you just make the rice in a pot on the stove??? Grumble, grumble. Well, you certainly can! But my rice cooker cooks the grains perfectly and knows when to stop on its own. It knows the difference between white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, porridge, and whether I want the grains to have a softer or harder texture! Plus it has a “warm” setting. My rice maker is super smart, y’all. I use it even when I’m only cooking up two cups.
BUT, if you don’t have a rice cooker and don’t want one, that’s ok! You can definitely make this Spanish rice in a good ‘ol fashioned pot. Still easy and delicious.
This recipe is great with grilled chicken, steak, alongside refried beans, or all on its own! To make it more of a meal, add in some cooked ground beef or sausage. So good.
other Mexican inspired recipes we love!
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
How To Make This Spanish Rice recipe
Simple Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 medium sweet onion , diced small
- 1 small red bell pepper , seeds and ribs removed, diced small
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 10 ounce can ROTEL (diced tomatoes with green chilies) , undrained
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the olive oil and butter until melted and bubbly. Add in the onions and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 3 minutes. Add in the garlic, cumin, salt, and rice and cook for another minute, stirring constantly so the rice doesn’t burn.
- At this point, add the mixture to a rice cooker if you have one.** Add in the Rotel and chicken stock; stir to combine and set the cooker to “quick cooking.” When the timer goes off in about 20 minutes, fluff with a fork, serve, and sprinkle with the chopped cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
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Judy Baker says
This Spanish Rice looks delicious. I will have to try it. I hope it will work with brown rice. I did not know Zojrushi made a rice cooker. I have a Zojrushi bread maker and I love it. I am sure the rice cooker is just as good . I would love to have one
Fille says
I use my Redmond 4500 (it’s multicooker) and I really happy with the result. Some more recepies like that are in cook book of Redmond. It’s very fast and tasty, thank u! Give more resepes
Joelen says
Rice is necessity and I love how this came out! Looks delicious and perfect for any Cinco de Mayo menu!
Mom says
The recipe is quite different from mine that you grew up with (originating from Nan) but looks very good. I just use a combination of tomato sauce, water, salt and a generous amount of black pepper. I also saute the rice in rendered pork fat which gives a different flavor. I’ll try yours and see how it fares!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Ah, that’s right. Now I remember. This one is very different, so it might be like comparing apples to oranges. Either way, Dad won’t like it!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
Great recipe , I’m putting it on my Cinco de Mayo menu! I’ve never actually owned a rice cooker. I know others who swear by them!
Lawrence Walker says
Hope this is how to enter. Thanks.
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Lawrence… it’s not. You need to enter through the widget provided, as explained in the blog post. Good luck!
Paula - bell'alimento says
BEST rice cooker in the world! I wouldn’t trade mine for anything. Actually used it tonight to make rice for stir fry!
Marnie H says
I hope I win. I’ve never had a rice cooker and this one sounds amazing!
Munira says
Looks awesome!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I need a rice cooker so bad! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Pam and Lenore! If you want to enter the giveaway, you need to submit your info through the widget within the post. Thanks and good luck!
Pam Sohan says
I still have the rice cooker (same company) That I bought when we were stationed in Japan in 1989-1992. Sure could use a new one. That recipe looks yummy.
Lenore says
Having a rice cooker would be a useful and needed addition to my kitchen. The forever battle between the rice and i have is similar to a carnival game, once in a while you win (the rice actually comes out the right way), but most times you lose (sometimes the rice is partially uncooked or ends up that mass of stuck together starch glop. A person can make the tastiest of concoctions but if the rice isn’t the right consistency the meal is not a winner. I speak from too much experience.