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The Ultimate Easy & Fluffy One-Pot Spanish Rice (Restaurant Style)

A mound of vibrant orange Spanish rice mixed with green peas and topped with fresh cilantro on a white plate.
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Make restaurant-style Spanish rice at home with this easy, one-pot recipe. This fluffy, flavorful arroz rojo is the perfect quick side dish for taco night or enchiladas.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 ounce) can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the long-grain rice to the pot. Toast the rice, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes until the grains turn light golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes until the onion softens.
  4. Stir in the Ro-Tel, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and add the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18 minutes without lifting the lid.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this resting period.
  8. Gently fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots mix if using (the residual heat will warm them).
  9. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • For the fluffiest rice, do not rinse the rice before toasting; the starch helps create the right texture.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
  • This recipe works well in a rice cooker; use the sauté function for toasting, then switch to the cook cycle with the broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/easy-spanish-rice-recipe-fluffy-one-pot/