Easy Spanish Rice

Bring the taste of south west into your kitchen with this recipe for Easy Spanish Rice. It’s a delicious merriment of rice and spices, creating a symphony of flavors. It’s one of our favorite recipes and has been added to our collection of Simple Rice Recipes!

Long grain rice is mixed with a combination of chicken stock, salsa, and a few other ingredients to produce a wonderful side dish reminiscent of the south west.

A serving of Easy Spanish Rice inside a white bowl with spices on top.

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This recipe is not only foolproof to make, it will also transport your taste buds to the middle of Spain. Thanks to the added salsa, you can embrace the rich colors, taste, and aromas of this classic dish.

Reasons Why You Should Make Easy Spanish Rice

  • The ingredients pay homage to the south west
  • It uses chicken broth which gives it added flavor
  • Creation of the recipe takes minimal effort
  • It can easily double to feed a crowd

Ingredients and Tips for Making Easy Spanish Rice

Wondering what you need to make this rice? I have you covered below!

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  • Long Grain Rice: This is the main ingredient. Don’t skip it. We like to use Jasmine rice.
  • Chicken Stock or Broth: Adding 2 cups of chicken stock will increase the savory flavor ten fold. We enjoy using Swanson Chicken Broth.
  • Chunky Salsa: Along with the chicken broth, this will also increase the flavor. It also gives the rice the south western appeal.
An overhead picture of Easy Spanish Rice topped with seasonings n a white bowl.

How Do You Store Easy Spanish Rice?

Before storing, bring the rice to room temperature. An air tight glass container, such as these Pyrex Glass Food Storage Containers, will provide safe storage once the rice is cooled. It can stay refrigerated for up to 4 days.

What Does Easy Spanish Rice Contain?

The main ingredient is, of course, rice. The rice is followed by a little bit of onion, garlic, a tomato product of some sort, and either vegetable or olive oil. These 5 ingredients are the base of any Spanish rice recipe.

What to Serve With Spanish Rice?

Basically any main south west entree’ will pair wonderfully with this rice recipe. We enjoy serving it with our recipe for 5 Ingredient Chicken Enchiladas. Try making these Dessert Nachos to round out the meal.

What Can I Substitute for Tomato Sauce in this Easy Spanish Rice?

If you don’t have any tomato sauce, alternatives such as salsa, diced tomatoes, or tomato paste make for wonderful substitutions. Any tomato based item will suit the recipe well.

More of Our Favorite Rice Recipes

Check out more of our favorite quick and easy rice recipes from our family and friends if you enjoyed the recipe above:

A white bowl filled with Easy Spanish Rice with a pink napkin in the background.

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Easy Spanish Rice

This Easy Spanish Rice recipe only contains 5 ingredients and resembles the kind you order in restaurants. It makes a wonderful side dish to any south western entree.
Serving Size: 1 cup 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican/Spanish
Keyword: 5 Ingredient, easy, Quick, rice,
Serves: 5 people
Calories Per Serving: 244

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • Half an onion, chopped
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup chunky salsa (mild, medium, or hot)

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil in a large skillet. Stir in the chopped onion and cook until translucent and tender.
  • Mix the rice into the skillet. Stir the rice often.
  • When rice begins to brown, stir in the chicken broth and salsa.
  • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @cooknwithlibby or tag #cookwlib!

26 Comments

  1. This is easy, I like it. If I am going to make it my main dish, probably will add some sausages, ham and vegetables. 🙂

    1. Yes…all those additions sound like they would make the perfect main dish 😉 Kind of like fried rice 😉

    2. For some reason, the liquid is not absorbing. I’ve had it on for an additional 20 min and its still wet.

  2. We love Spanish rice with tacos and anything mexican. I didn't know it was this easy to make my own. I make salsa from the garden, so this will be great to use up the salsa!

    1. Oh homemade made salsa would probably taste great with this recipe! Yummm!

  3. Spanish rice was a staple at our house when growing up but, quite different from what the reall Spanish rice is like – it had ground beef in it and was an entree'. When living in Florida I was introduced to the Puerto Rican version of Spanish rice which is so totally different. This one is even a different one from them – am definitely going to have to try it…

    1. Wow…who knew there were so many versions of this rice? 😉 Hopefully this recipe will become a favorite 😉

  4. This looks great. I have only made spanish rice once and it really didn't turn out well, I need to try it again.

  5. I have been trying to make a good spanish rice for years. I really like the kind you get in a restaurant but have been unable to duplicate it to my taste. I'll have to try your version : )

    1. I hope you like it Rebecca. It's so easy to make.

  6. 5 stars
    We like to make this rice with burritos and enchiladas 🙂

  7. 5 stars
    I’ve made this a few times and it’s really good. My husband, who’s fromArizona (we’re now in Canada) loves it. Thank you so much.

    1. That is so awesome to hear! Thank you for letting us know Anstria 🙂

  8. I made this recipe. I doubled it because we’re having ten people over for dinner. It was easy and tasted just like a restaurant Spanish rice.

    1. Thank you for letting us know how it turned out Marcy! I am glad you and your guests enjoyed it 😉

  9. Lance Lowman says:

    5 stars
    I made this last night, I made a couple of changes I only used 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and 1/2cup salsa but the biggest and best thing I did was to add a can of ready cut tomatoes. And OMG everyone said best homemade Spanish rice they have ever had. Thanks for the great recipe. Base any how. Loved it

  10. 4 stars
    Yo cocino para mi clase espanol dos tarea. Es mucho fácil receta y es mucho deliciouso. Mi familia adorar la plato también. Yo ir a definitivamente hacer otro vez.

    Indirect Translation: I made this recipe for my spanish 2 class homework. It was a pretty easy recipe and very delicious. My family loved it and I would definitely make it again.

  11. 5 stars
    I just can’t say more about how amazing your recipe was or is. I tried it and my boys just loved it. I returned to the recipe just to appreciate you, Libby!

4.20 from 20 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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