• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes
20 minutes
4.3 from 60 votes
15 Comments

3 Ingredient Mexican Rice

Jump to RecipePrint RecipeJump to Video
  • 458
by: Joanna Cismaru
07.04.21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for mexican rice.

3 Ingredient Mexican Rice – your favorite Mexican restaurant style rice at home with only 3 ingredients. This rice comes together in only 15 minutes and in only one pot. Yup, you heard that right!

freshly made mexican rice in a skillet garnished with cilantro.

You know that rice you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant along with your enchiladas or chimichangas, well I love that rice. But to be fair I love all Mexican food, but that rice is what brings the whole meal together. I don’t know about you though, but I can eat a bowl of this rice, call it lunch and be happy happy happy.

To make this, all you need are 3 ingredients and 15 minutes! It takes you longer to get to the restaurant and order it than make this in your home, seriously.

I sometimes feel like I don’t cook enough with rice, somehow I always gravitate towards pasta dishes, but I do love rice probably just as much as pasta. Some of my favorite dishes are made with rice, like chicken and seafood paella or this chicken enchilada rice casserole, but nothing beats the simplicity of this rice dish.

The 3 ingredients that you need are rice, chicken broth and enchilada sauce. Yep, by adding enchilada sauce to this rice dish you give it all those Mexican flavors you love so much. Then top it with whatever toppings you prefer, I used chopped tomatoes, green onions and cilantro. You don’t need the toppings though, this rice is so so good. I told you I like simple dishes, and you can’t get any simpler than this.

Ingredient Notes

mexican rice in a bowl garnished with green onions.
  • Rice – Basmati is what I used today, but feel free to use whatever kind is your favorite. Keep in mind that heartier rices will take longer to cook.
  • Broth – Chicken broth low sodium as always please, we want to control the sodium content of our dish.
  • Sauce – Enchilada sauce, 1 entire cans worth. If you’d rather go the homemade route you can use my recipe.

Optional Toppings

  • Tomatoes
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro

How To Make 3 Ingredient Mexican Rice

  1. Cook the rice: In a large skillet or saucepan add the rice chicken broth and enchilada sauce. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stir well, cover the pot, then turn down the heat to a medium.
  2. Finish the dish: Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes, green onions and cilantro before serving.

And that’s it! It’s literally that easy to put together a picture perfect little side dish, yum!

How To Make Enchilada Sauce

I love a rich, flavorful enchilada sauce. Packed full of complex flavors like cumin, chili, garlic, and acidic tomatoes, this sauce is a slam dunk whether you opt for store bought or homemade. Personally I love to make this dish even more complex by using a homemade sauce, luckily for you all there’s a recipe for doing just that right here on the blog.

What Can I Pair My Mexican Rice With?

This dish pairs well with so many dishes, especially big protein heavy entrees. Definitely play around with different combinations because regardless you can’t go wrong!

  • Pork Carnitas
  • Chicken Shawarma
  • Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Legs
  • Gyros
  • Roast Chicken
  • Perfect Pork Tenderloin
  • Lamb
  • Beef Brisket
freshly made mexican rice in a skillet garnished with cilantro.

Some Tips

  1. Feel free to throw in any protein you’d like! This dish is a perfect way to use up some leftovers you have sitting around taking up space in your fridge.
  2. If you’d like to add some golden color and complex flavor to this dish, feel free to saute the rice in some oil before cooking.
  3. Sub some water and a chicken bouillon cube for the chicken broth to give a flavor concentrate to the dish.
  4. Once you’ve made this Mexican rice a few times you’ll never need to look at a recipe again, it’s just so easy to throw together.

Leftovers

Be sure to store this Mexican rice as soon as it’s cooled as rice is a breeding ground for bacteria. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. If freezing store this dish in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and fluff the rice before reheating. This dish will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

mexican rice in a bowl garnished with green onions.

More Incredible Rice Recipes To Enjoy

  • Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
  • Lemon Chicken Rice Bake
  • Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole
  • Easy Chicken Enchiladas
  • 30 Minute Skillet Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

freshly made mexican rice in a skillet garnished with cilantro.

3 Ingredient Mexican Rice

4.3 from 60 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 20 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 4
Print Pin Rate
3 Ingredient Mexican Rice – your favorite Mexican restaurant style rice at home with only 3 ingredients. This rice comes together in only 15 minutes and in only one pot. Yup, you heard that right!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rice I used Basmati
  • 2 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 10 ounce enchilada sauce 1 can
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper or to taste

Optional toppings

  • tomatoes chopped
  • green onions chopped
  • cilantro chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients: In a large skillet or saucepan add the rice chicken broth and enchilada sauce. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stir well, cover the pot, then turn down the heat to a medium.
  • Cook the rice: Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Season and garnish: Season with salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes, green onions and cilantro before serving.

Video

Recipe Notes

  1. I used canned enchilada sauce, but feel free to make your own.
  2. You can add ground beef, cooked chicken, or prawns to turn this into a full meal.
  3. Be sure to store this dish as soon as it’s cooled as rice is a breeding ground for bacteria. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. If freezing store this dish in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and fluff the rice before reheating. This dish will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1servingCalories: 216kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 44g (15%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 1g (2%)Sodium: 797mg (35%)Potassium: 154mg (4%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 475IU (10%)Vitamin C: 1.4mg (2%)Calcium: 18mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Side Dish
Cuisine:Mexican
Keyword:3 ingredient mexican rice, mexican, mexican rice, rice
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 458
  • 1

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

side view shot of italian breaded pork chops
Previous Post
Italian Breaded Pork Chops
side view shot of a greek lamb burger with a knife stuck in the top
Next Post
Greek Lamb Burgers

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Tracy says

    June 28, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    5 stars
    I added green chiles, black beans, grilled mojo chicken and cheese. Wanted to make a full meal out of it. Very good.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 28, 2021 at 5:04 pm

      Glad you liked it, Tracy!

      Reply
  2. Rachael says

    September 1, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Wow! This was very delicious! Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Anjali says

    January 17, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy and good! I can’t believe it! I added crumbled tofu mixed with taco seasoning, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and green onions. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team 2 says

      January 17, 2020 at 3:57 pm

      We are so glad you like it! You can also check out this awesome recipe for my taco seasoning… for next time 😉

      Reply
  4. vivian says

    October 2, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for a great recipe. It looks especially pretty with chopped tomatoes and green onion on top and my family really liked it.

    Reply
  5. Margaret says

    June 29, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    What brand of enchilada sauce do you use? I don’t like the taste of the brands I have tried, they’ve been too vinegary or something.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 29, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      I used La Victoria.

      Reply
  6. Stacey says

    June 29, 2016 at 10:54 am

    Cheers… Will be trying this weekend…

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 29, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Hope you like it!

      Reply
  7. Ken Easterling says

    June 29, 2016 at 9:46 am

    5 stars
    Hi Jo. This is my recipe for Mexican Rice. It has more ingredients and steps but is authentic.

    Mexican Rice
    Makes 6 Servings

    Preparation: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 25 mins
    Ken’s Cookbook
    Mexican

    This is an excellent authentic Mexican rice recipe (not to be confused with Spanish rice) that I make as a side dish with all of my Mexican dishes. The key is cooking the rice properly and using good quality chicken broth or stock.

    1 cup white rice
    1 tablespoon oil, or lard
    1 1/2 cups chicken broth
    1/2 onion, finely chopped
    1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
    1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
    2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
    salt and pepper to taste
    1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
    1 clove garlic, minced

    1. In a medium sauce pan, cook rice, onion, green pepper, jalapeno, and diced tomato in oil over medium heat until the rice browns slightly.
    2. Pour in chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, cumin, cilantro, and garlic.
    3. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice is done. If the rice is not done and the liquid is gone, add more chicken broth.
    4. Garnish with roughly chopped Cilantro leaves before serving.

    Reply
  8. GINA says

    June 29, 2016 at 8:07 am

    CAN I USE REGULAR RICE INSTEAD

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 29, 2016 at 8:55 am

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  9. Stacey says

    June 29, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Hi would shredded chicken or prawns work with this?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 29, 2016 at 8:56 am

      Of course, that would be great then you could turn this into a meal.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
asian green beans in a wok.

Asian

overhead shot of a spoon taking a bite of italian meatball soup

Italian

freshly made pozole rojo in a dutch oven.

Mexican

mititei on a plate with mustard and french fries.

Romanian

a stack of roti wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!