Instant Pot Spanish Rice: A Beginner’s Guide to a Flavorful, Easy Dish
🔥 Instant Pot Spanish Rice is the ultimate foolproof side dish—fluffy, flavorful, and ready in no time! Made with fragrant spices, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked rice, this one-pot wonder is the perfect pairing for tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-inspired meal! 🍅🌮✨
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped (green or red)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (for a lighter option, use low-sodium broth)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken or beef, chopped (bacon can be substituted with cooked chicken or beef for a healthier option)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting. Once it’s hot, add the olive oil. Let it heat up for about 30 seconds.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onions and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to soften and become fragrant. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Toast the Rice: Add the uncooked rice to the pot and stir it well to coat the rice with the oil and aromatic mixture. Sauté the rice for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step helps to toast the rice, enhancing the flavor of your Spanish Rice.
- Add the Broth and Tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and the diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir everything together, ensuring the rice is evenly distributed.
- Season the Rice: Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the rice mixture. Stir well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to cook on “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 8 minutes on high pressure.
- Release the Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 5 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure. Open the Instant Pot lid.
- Add the Meat: Stir in the cooked chicken or beef and mix well. This will heat the meat through and give the rice even more flavor.
- Fluff the Rice: Use a fork to fluff the rice, separating the grains and ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t Skip the Sauté Step: Sautéing the onions, bell peppers, and rice before adding the liquids gives the dish a deeper flavor. It’s tempting to just toss everything in, but this extra step is worth it.
- Check the Rice for Doneness: Once the rice has finished cooking, it should be tender and fully cooked. If it’s a bit undercooked, simply close the lid, let it sit for a few extra minutes, and the residual heat will finish cooking it.
- Avoid Overcooking the Rice: If your rice is mushy, it’s usually because it was cooked for too long. The pressure cooker does its job in a short amount of time, so stick to the 8-minute cook time.
- Adjust the Liquid: If you like your rice a little more moist, you can add an additional 1/4 cup of broth. Conversely, if you prefer drier rice, reduce the broth slightly.
- Use Fresh Broth: Homemade chicken broth adds an extra layer of flavor, but store-bought broth works just as well. Just be sure to check the sodium content if you’re watching your salt intake.
- Let the Rice Rest: After releasing the pressure, let the rice sit in the Instant Pot for a few minutes. This helps the flavors meld together and the rice firm up a little.