Amazing Green Rice Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/amazing-green-rice-recipe/
