Amazing Green Rice Recipe

Introduction

This Amazing Green Rice is a vibrant and flavorful twist on traditional white rice, packed with fresh cilantro, spinach, and a hint of heat from serrano pepper. It’s a perfect side dish that adds color and zest to any meal.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
• 1 bunch cilantro (about 1 cup packed)
• 3-4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, roughly chopped (substitute with jalapeño pepper if desired)
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (1 teaspoon if using water)
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth, or water (up to 2 1/2 cups for stickier rice)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the rice thoroughly in a mesh colander. Shake gently or blot with paper towels to remove excess water. This prevents splattering when cooking.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, pulse the cilantro, spinach, shallot, serrano pepper, and garlic until finely chopped and well combined.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the rice and sauté for 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted.
4. Step 4: Stir in the green herb mixture and salt. Continue sautéing for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and become fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in the broth or water and bring to a simmer. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 15 minutes.
6. Step 6: Check the rice by fluffing with a fork; add additional water and cook longer if needed for your preferred texture.
7. Step 7: Once done, remove from heat and fluff the rice again to evenly distribute the greens throughout.
8. Step 8: Serve warm alongside chicken skewers, salmon, tacos, or your favorite beans and veggies.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder spice, reduce serrano pepper amount or substitute with a milder jalapeño.
• Use veggie broth for a vegetarian version or chicken broth for a richer flavor.
• To add extra zest, squeeze fresh lime juice over the rice before serving.
• Swap out spinach with kale or swiss chard for a slightly different texture and taste.

Storage

Store leftover green rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water to prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use thawed, drained frozen spinach, though fresh will provide a brighter color and fresher flavor.

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can finely chop the cilantro, spinach, shallot, serrano, and garlic by hand, though a food processor makes the process quicker and creates a smoother mixture.

Amazing Green Rice Recipe

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4.4 from 69 reviews

Amazing Green Rice is a vibrant, flavorful side dish featuring long-grain white rice infused with a fresh blend of cilantro, spinach, shallot, serrano pepper, and garlic. This easy-to-make recipe uses a quick sauté technique to toast the rice and herbs, then simmers them gently in broth for a fragrant, perfectly cooked result that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, tacos, or vegetarian meals.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice and Herbs

• 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
• 1 bunch cilantro (about 1 cup packed)
• 3–4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, roughly chopped (substitute jalapeño pepper if desired)
• 1–2 cloves garlic

Cooking

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (1 teaspoon salt if using water)
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth, or water (up to 2 1/2 cups for stickier rice)

Instructions

1. Rice Prep: Rinse the rice thoroughly in a mesh colander. Shake the colander a few times to remove excess water, or blot the rice dry with paper towels to prevent splattering when sautéed.
2. Make Green Herb Mixture: Pulse the cilantro, spinach, shallot, serrano pepper, and garlic in a food processor until very finely chopped, creating a vibrant green herb blend.
3. Sauté the Rice: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the rinsed rice and sauté for 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted. Then add the green herb mixture and salt, sautéing for another 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
4. Cook the Rice: Pour in the broth or water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 15 minutes. Check the rice by fluffing with a fork; add more liquid or cook longer if needed until the rice is tender.
5. Finish and Serve: Once the rice is cooked to your liking, remove the skillet from heat and fluff the rice with a fork to distribute the green herbs evenly. Serve hot as a flavorful side dish with chicken skewers, salmon, tacos, beans, or creamy corn.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of serrano or jalapeño pepper to control the heat level.
• Using broth instead of water enhances flavor but increases sodium content.
• For stickier rice, add up to an additional 1/2 cup of liquid as needed during cooking.
• You can substitute spinach with other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for a different flavor profile.
• Make sure to rinse and dry the rice well to prevent splattering and ensure even toasting.

Keywords: Green Rice, Cilantro Rice, Spinach Rice, Mexican Side Dish, Healthy Rice, Cilantro Spinach Rice