Mexican White Rice Arroz Blanco

Transform your weeknight dinners with the vibrant flavors of Mexican White Rice (Arroz Blanco)! This fragrant and fluffy side dish is made by toasting long-grain white rice to golden perfection before simmering it with a savory blend of chicken broth, aromatic garlic, and sautéed onions. Bright pops of color and texture come from tender peas and sweet diced carrots, while a whole jalapeño adds a subtle, optional hint of spice. Perfectly steamed to perfection and garnished with fresh cilantro, this versatile recipe pairs beautifully with your favorite Mexican mains, like enchiladas, grilled chicken, or carne asada. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy staple will bring authentic Mexican flair to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup yellow or white onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup frozen peas
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 piece jalapeño, whole (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice in a fine mesh sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the drained rice to the pan and toast it, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until the rice is lightly golden.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth, water, and salt. Gently stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the diced carrot, frozen peas, and optional whole jalapeño for mild spice (do not slice the jalapeño unless you want more spice).

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.

Step 9

Do not uncover the pot while the rice cooks to ensure proper steaming.

Step 10

After 20 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the pot covered for an additional 5 minutes to let the rice finish cooking in its own steam.

Step 11

Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and discard the jalapeño (if used).

Step 12

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1180.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	629.4

Total Fat 27.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2974.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 83.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.2g	0%
Total Sugars 11.3g
Protein 14.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 134.6mg	0%
Iron 4.7mg	0%
Potassium 809.0mg	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: 38.4%

Protein: 9.3%

Carbs: 52.3%