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Spanish Rice In Rice Cooker Recipe

Spanish Rice In Rice Cooker Recipe

Olivia Brooks
This Spanish Rice In Rice Cooker Recipe blends rice, broth, tomato paste, cumin, and paprika for tender, flavorful grains every time.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

  • Rice cooker (standard 5- or 6-cup capacity works great)
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Small skillet (optional, for toasting rice and sautéing aromatics)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste for deeper flavor
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup finely chopped carrots optional, traditional touch
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Juice of ½ a lime optional but lovely

Instructions
 

Step 1: Rinse the Rice

  • Place the rice in a bowl and rinse it under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and helps keep the grains fluffy instead of sticky.
  • Drain well and set aside.

Step 2: Toast the Rice (Optional but Recommended)

  • In a small skillet over medium heat, add the oil. Once warm, add the drained rice. Stir gently for about 3–5 minutes until the rice looks slightly golden and smells nutty.
  • This step adds a beautiful depth of flavor. It is not mandatory, but I highly recommend it. It makes a difference.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

  • Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the rice and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  • If your rice cooker has a sauté function, you can do this directly in the pot.

Step 4: Combine in the Rice Cooker

  • Transfer the rice mixture to the rice cooker if needed. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped carrots.
  • Give everything a gentle stir so the tomato sauce blends evenly with the broth.

Step 5: Cook

  • Close the lid and set the rice cooker to the standard white rice setting. Let it cook undisturbed. This usually takes 20–25 minutes, depending on your machine.

Step 6: Rest and Fluff

  • Once the rice cooker switches to “warm,” let the rice sit for about 5 minutes. Then open the lid and fluff gently with a fork.
  • Add a squeeze of lime juice if using, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top.
  • And that’s it. You now have a pot of beautifully seasoned Spanish rice with almost no effort.
Keyword Spanish Rice In Rice Cooker Recipe