Spanish Rice Dinner

Transform your weeknight meal routine with this vibrant and hearty Spanish Rice Dinner! This one-pan wonder combines fluffy, flavor-packed long-grain white rice with aromatic spices like paprika, cumin, and chili powder for a bold, smoky profile. Fresh sautéed veggies, diced tomatoes, and a hint of garlic infuse every bite with irresistible depth, while frozen peas and your choice of protein—shredded chicken, ground beef, or plant-based beans—make it a flexible yet satisfying dish. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for busy evenings, coming together in just 45 minutes. Whether you're seeking a family-friendly dinner idea or a comforting meal prep option, this Spanish rice recipe delivers wholesome, crave-worthy results every time.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 14.5-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.75 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.75 cups frozen peas
• 2 cups cooked protein of choice (e.g., shredded chicken, cooked ground beef, or beans)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or deep sauté pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the uncooked rice to the pan. Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until the rice is lightly toasted.

Step 5

Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, and canned diced tomatoes (with their juice) to the pan. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Season the mixture with paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 8

After 20 minutes, lift the lid and stir in the frozen peas and cooked protein of your choice. Replace the lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the peas are heated and the rice is tender.

Step 9

Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with the chopped cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2213.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2553.5

Total Fat 62.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 413.8mg	0%
Sodium 5274.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 298.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 29.7g
Protein 188.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 403.3mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 3416.6mg	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: 22.5%

Protein: 30.0%

Carbs: 47.5%