The Cookin Chicks

  • Home
  • About Kristin
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Kristin
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Kristin
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Mexican

    Easy Mexican Rice

    Modified: Aug 29, 2022 · Published: May 15, 2018 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · 15 Comments

    FacebookTweetPinEmail
    Jump to Recipe

    The BEST Mexican Rice that is so flavorful and easy, it will quickly become your new go to side dish to make with any and all Mexican dishes! With only a few ingredients needed, forget the boxes and mixes and stick to this simple version!

    Fluffy easy mexican rice!

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    If you have ever gone to a Mexican restaurant, you know good rice. Each restaurant has its own version of course, but most of the time (with a few exceptions), its delicious! To me, there is nothing better than combining the rice and beans into one bite and enjoying the flavor combination. Anyone else do that too or just me?!?!

    Jump to:
    • This Easy Mexican rice is packed with flavor, and can go toe-to-toe with some of the best rice I’ve had!
    • Looking for some other great Mexican recipes to pair with this rice? Check out my favs below!
    • Be sure to check out my recipe card below. Press print to have an always available copy!
    • Easy Mexican Rice

    This Easy Mexican rice is packed with flavor, and can go toe-to-toe with some of the best rice I’ve had!

    Over the years, I have tried my hand at making an authentic, homemade rice that mirrors the restaurants. This version, click here, is quite close, but every now and then I need something realllllyyyyy simple. A dump and go version because I am short on time and want rice, but don’t want to work for it.

    Mexican rice ready to be served up

    Several weeks ago, a few moms and I were talking about dinner ideas (because that is what you do when you put a bunch of moms together, right?) and one of the gals mentioned her simple rice recipe. She claimed (I was a bit skeptical at the time, but now I am a believer) that using only rice, salsa, and chicken broth….you could have a quick and easy Mexican rice that is flavorful and better than the boxes.

    I was hesitant because that sounded way too simple, and let’s be honest, I am a bit picky since I compare to my favorite restaurant. Since I was making tacos that night, I decided to give it a try and hope for the best. I added the rice, salsa, and broth together in a skillet, crossed my fingers, made a wish, and hoped for the best. Twenty minutes later, I went to fluff it with a fork (and take a bite), and to my surprise, it was great!

    Spoonful of easy Mexican rice!

    The rice isn’t too “wet”, but its also not “firm”. It was perfectly flavored and complimented the tacos perfectly. I decided to test my hubby and not tell him the recipe up front, rather than ask his opinion first. I first asked if he thought it was from a box or homemade. He immediately said it was homemade. I then asked him to judge it and give me his honest opinion and he said it was his new favorite. Wow, right?! Who knew that something so simple, could be so quick and flavorful!

    I definitely will be keeping this recipe on hand for those taco nights!

    Looking for some other great Mexican recipes to pair with this rice? Check out my favs below!

    Zesty Mexican Chicken Soup

    Mexican Chicken Bake

    Leftover Pot Roast Enchiladas

    Now, I understand this isn’t truly “authentic”, but hey, its better than a box, haha!

    Be sure to check out my recipe card below. Press print to have an always available copy!

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    Easy Mexican Rice

    Recipe by: Kristin
    A simple, flavorful rice that compliments any Mexican dish! Using only 3 ingredients, you'll never buy a boxed mix again!
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Sauce Pan
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups white rice, uncooked
    • 2 cups chicken broth
    • 1 cup chunky salsa (I used Pace)
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
    • Mix rice in and stir often.
    • Once rice begins to brown, stir in the chicken broth and salsa.
    • Reduce heat to low, cover skillet with lid, and allow to simmer 20 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed.
    • Remove lid and fluff with a fork.
    • Serve!!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

     

     

    More Mexican

    • stacked chicken quesadillas on a cutting board ready to serve.
      Southwestern Chicken Quesadillas
    • Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas topped with tomatoes in a white baking dish.
      Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas
    • sour cream on top of bell peppers that have a ground beef mixture inside.
      Taco Stuffed Peppers
    • a refreshing BBQ side dish with vibrant colors and flavors.
      Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw
    FacebookTweetPinEmail

    Comments

    1. Marci Brown says

      December 26, 2024 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Despite growing up with a Mexican mother who makes excellent rice, every time I try to make it I mess it up. But it was SO delicious and easy with your recipe, it turned out perfect. Thank you! It’s on my favorites list for sure!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        December 27, 2024 at 10:26 am

        Yay!! Love hearing this! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!!

        Reply
    2. Leah says

      June 11, 2024 at 6:48 pm

      4 stars
      I think there might be a step missing to bring the rice to a boil before covering to simmer. I followed the recipe and I’m going on 30 minutes with undercooked crunchy rice.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        June 12, 2024 at 2:48 pm

        How did it end up turning out? Hope you enjoyed!

        Reply
      • Janice says

        March 14, 2025 at 6:21 pm

        Leah, simmering usually implies it has been brought to a boil. Yours prbably took longerbut should have worked fine after the edtra cooktime. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Denise K says

      May 09, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      Do you make this with white minute rice or white long grain rice?

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        May 10, 2022 at 7:54 am

        Long grain rice! Hope you enjoy

        Reply
        • Renee Cabrera says

          August 22, 2024 at 12:22 pm

          5 stars
          Bar far my favorite rice recipe! My kids never like the same thing but they both love this rice! Super easy and full of flavor! I usually add a little extra salsa just for a little more flavor but it is amazing!! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

        • Kristin says

          August 22, 2024 at 12:57 pm

          Yay!! Love hearing this and so glad you all enjoy! Great idea on the additional salsa!!

    4. donna mclean says

      August 19, 2018 at 5:10 am

      can this also be done in a rice cooker…

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        August 19, 2018 at 4:37 pm

        Im sure it can, I am just not sure how to convert it as I don’t use a rice cooker. Sorry I am not more help 🙁

        Reply
    5. Lisa says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:27 pm

      Could you make this in a rice maker?

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        July 22, 2018 at 12:42 pm

        I don’t see why not, I haven’t personally tried it, but should work!

        Reply
    6. Judy Maes says

      May 16, 2018 at 10:33 pm

      I’m from San Antonio Texas and that’s the ONLY WAY I eat my beans and rice!!!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        May 19, 2018 at 10:18 am

        Great minds think alike! Glad to hear I am not the only one, haha!

        Reply
    4.67 from 3 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

    More about me →

    Summertime recipes

    • Best Ever Juicy Burgers
    • Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken
    • Ultimate Potato Salad
    • a tropical Island themed dessert with simple ingredients.
      Hawaiian Cheesecake Salad
    • cold pasta salad served in a glass bowl
      Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
    • a refreshing BBQ side dish with vibrant colors and flavors.
      Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw

    Popular Recipes

    • Ultimate Chicken Casserole
    • French Onion Rice
    • Strawberry Pretzel Salad
    • an up close view of biscuits and gravy breakfast casserole
      Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 The Cookin Chicks

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.