Healthy Valentine’s Day Spicy Spanish Rice Recipe

Spicy Spanish rice, known as “arroz a la mexicana” or “Mexican rice,” is a tantalizing dish that captures the vibrant flavors of Spanish cuisine. This aromatic dish features long-grain rice sautéed in a skillet with a medley of ingredients, including diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and bell peppers. What truly sets it apart is the addition of spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, which infuse the rice with a fiery kick.

The result is a colorful, fragrant, and slightly spicy side dish that complements a wide range of Spanish and Mexican meals. Whether served alongside tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or as a standalone dish, spicy Spanish rice adds depth and excitement to the dining experience. The rice absorbs the flavors of the ingredients and spices, creating a harmonious blend of savory and spicy notes. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, it’s a delicious and satisfying addition to any fiesta or family dinner, embodying the bold and zesty essence of Spanish cuisine.

Also Read: Valentines Day Special Jam Tarts Recipe

Healthy Valentine’s Day Spicy Spanish Rice Recipe

Recipe by RecipeWikkiCourse: MainCuisine: SpanishDifficulty: Medium

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

194

kcal

This Spanish rice-inspired spicy tomato rice recipe is super easy to make and is always a crowd-pleaser. When was the last time you had Spanish rice? You can substitute paprika for the chili powder.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice

• ⅓ cup diced jalapeno pepper

• ⅓ cup chopped green onion

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 1 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder, or to taste

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (Optional)

• 2 ¼ cups chicken stock

• ½ cup tomato sauce

Directions

• Melt butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir rice, jalapeno, green onion, and garlic together in the melted butter until rice is completely coated with butter. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, chipotle chile powder, and cayenne pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir chicken stock and tomato sauce into the rice mixture. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the pot covered on the burner for 8 minutes. Remove the cover and fluff the rice with a fork.

Notes

• Short-grain rice, such as Arborio or Valencia rice, is often used for Spanish-style rice because it absorbs flavors well and becomes creamy when cooked.
• The base of many Spanish rice dishes is the sofrito, which consists of sautéed onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook these ingredients until they are soft and fragrant before adding other components.