Description
Spanish Rice Bake brings comfort straight from the kitchen to your dinner table. Hearty layers of seasoned rice, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a satisfying one-pan meal your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains and Starches:
- 1 cup white rice
Main Protein and Vegetables:
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 bell pepper (diced)
- 1 jalapeno (finely diced)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to precisely 350°F, preparing your baking environment for delicious Spanish rice.
- Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large skillet, heating over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Toss in 1 diced onion, 1 diced bell pepper, and 1 finely diced jalapeno. Sauté for exactly 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Add 1 cup white rice, 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the skillet.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper to your taste preferences. Stir ingredients thoroughly to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until rice absorbs liquid completely.
- Transfer the rice mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Scatter 1 cup shredded cheese generously over the top of the rice.
- Slide the dish into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro just before serving.
Notes
- Use long-grain white rice for the best texture and fluffy consistency.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of jalapenos and chili powder.
- For a vegetarian version, swap chicken broth with vegetable broth and add black beans for protein.
- Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg