As strange as it may sound, one of the most difficult things to give up when I had to go gluten free was Spanish Rice. Yes, the Rice a Roni variety. It has always been such a go-to side for many of my favorite Mexican food dishes. So naturally I found a way to make a homemade gluten-free version so I could still enjoy it. Turns out, I like this version better than the box. Sure, it’s a little more work (though not much more), but it tastes better and my kids devour it!
Gluten-Free Spanish Rice
INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Cup white rice (uncooked)
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups chicken broth (2 cups water + 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon, chicken flavor)
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 10oz can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin
PREPARATION
- Saute the green bell pepper in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, to slightly soften up the pepper. Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
- Add in the rice and continue to saute until the rice starts to brown.
- Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. The liquid should be absorbed and the rice tender.
Gluten-Free Spanish Rice
Make the perfect side for your favorite Mexican food dishes with this homemade Spanish Rice. It's more than a copycat Rice-a-Roni Spanish Rice recipe – it's better.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Cup white rice uncooked
- 1/2 green bell pepper diced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups water + 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon, chicken flavor
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
Instructions
- Saute the green bell pepper in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, to slightly soften up the pepper.
- Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
- Add in the rice and continue to saute until the rice starts to brown.
- Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. The liquid should be absorbed and the rice tender.
Video
The most time-consuming part is just dicing the pepper and tomatoes, and preparing the chicken broth. Other than that, it’s a simple side that’s full of flavor. I love to eat it with taquitos or when I make enchiladas.
Yum! That looks good! I love Rice-a-Roni so I will definitely be trying this recipe. Thanks!
Mmmm Rotel in rice? What a great idea for extra flavor. This is making our next Taco Tuesday.
Oh my! That looks amazing! I haven't had spanish rice yet but I will definitely give it a try after seeing this.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
This sounds so amazing. I haven't had homemade spanish rice in ages, and I am totally adding these ingredients to my grocery list!
I literally just made spanish rice for the first time over the holiday break, and while it was good, it was a bit too spicy, your recipe looks much more flavorful without all the burning! haha. can't wait to try it!
This looks so good! I love having rice as a side dish with simple meat entrees. This looks simple to pull off on a work night.
What a great post! I love spanish rice and so i'm definitely going to try this!
Mmmm, I love me some Spanish rice with my tacos or burritos. I am going to give this gluten-free version a try!
I am so adding this to my menu plan. I love the freshness instead of an old canned variety!
It looks super tasty and so fresh. I think when we cook like this, we actually destress more than stress about cooking. Who wouldn't want to prepare that lovely dish for their family?
This looks delicious. I've actually never used Rice a Roni. I grew up with my mother always making rice from scratch and her recipe is similar to this one!
I LOVE rice, especially mexican rice! I always struggle with making it the same way and a delicious way each time. I am saving this, it looks easy!
This whole plate looks delicious! What a great recipe I love spanish rice and it seems so simple to make!
We love rice as a side dish in our home. I've been using up the rest of our potatoes to make room for more rice this year to help cut out some of the sugar from potatoes…this is great!
I love rice! My husband, too!!! It is really yummy with just about everything! It looks completely delicious!
This looks tasty. I've never made Spanish rice before but your recipe looks so easy to make.
This year I'm looking to have more gluten free meals in my diet and this is perfect for me. I love rice dishes. Thanks for the recipe, I must try it!
We're trying to go more gluten free in my house and that looks mighty tasty! Marking it as a must make soon recipe!
Oh yum! This looks great! I love Spanish rice and rice is the one thing my kids will always eat.
man i haven't had rice a roni in years!!! How delicious does this look! Thanks for the easy recipe!
I love the idea of making Spanish rice, it sounds a little intimidating but it's actually quite easy! I would love to try your recipe,thanks for sharing it! It's perfect for dinner!
Yum! This looks delicious! I think I am going to make it for lunch today, thanks for the inspiration!
I can't believe how many delicious gluten-free options are available for those on modified diets. This dish looks so good and seems to be packed full of flavor.
I had no idea that something like this would be able to be gluten free. It looks so delicious!
I'm gluten intolerant and that's the exact type of recipes I'm always looking for! Rice is such a staple in my diet and I can't wait to try this recipe!
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I love rice based dishes. So this is an awesome recipe for me 🙂 My girl will love it as much!
This spanish rice looks so tasty. I love the gluten-free aspect to it. Always good to make the food healthier and better for us. YUM! xx Adaleta Avdic