Johnny Jalapeno's Mexican Rice

Spice up your dinner table with Johnny Jalapeno's Mexican Rice, a vibrant and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for taco nights, barbecue spreads, or standalone snacking. This recipe combines fluffy long-grain white rice with aromatic garlic, zesty jalapeño peppers, and a rich blend of cumin and chili powder for that signature Mexican-inspired flair. Simmered in a savory tomato and chicken broth base (with a vegetarian option available), this dish is elevated with sweet pops of tender peas and a fresh garnish of cilantro. With just 10 minutes of prep and a foolproof stovetop method, this ultra-versatile rice dish comes together in under 30 minutes, bringing bold, authentic flavor to your kitchen. Don’t forget the lime wedges for a tangy citrus finish! Perfect for weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing accompaniment to your favorite Mexican entrées.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium white onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 pieces jalapeno peppers (seeded and minced)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 piece lime (cut into wedges, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain thoroughly.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and jalapeno peppers, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir well to coat it in the oil. Toast the rice for 3-5 minutes until it turns light golden brown.

Step 6

Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 8

Simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid too frequently to ensure even cooking.

Step 9

After 15 minutes, add the frozen peas on top of the rice without stirring. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes.

Step 10

Turn off the heat and let the rice rest for 5 additional minutes. Then, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the chopped cilantro.

Step 11

Serve the rice hot, garnished with lime wedges for squeezing on top, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1885.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1122.7

Total Fat 35.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5335.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 176.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 24.5g
Protein 29.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 235.1mg	0%
Iron 11.4mg	0%
Potassium 1353.9mg	0%

*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: 27.6%

Protein: 10.5%

Carbs: 61.9%