Management bought a new rice cooker. Did we need another one? No. The old one worked just fine. However, the old one just did rice. White rice. Nothing against the old white rice…gotta love it, but she wanted something for oatmeal of all things. (God the woman loves to shove oatmeal down my throat! I can’t even…)

Anyway, the oatmeal turns out great because this rice cooker can cook oats to any texture you want, farro, quinoa, barley, any grains really. And it slow cooks and sautés too! It’s turned out to be a real workhorse and using it for my Amped Up Mexican Rice, which I usually cook on the stove, really is a no-brainer.

If you don’t have a “smart” rice cooker, just the ones that have an on/off button, I think this will still work, but I haven’t tried it in that one.

I like to have this as a side to tacos or whatever, but if you’re in to one-pot meals, you can do that too – this is how: Cut up some chicken thighs in chunks if they’re big. Season (maybe taco seasoning) and using the sauté setting, sauté the chicken thighs. You don’t have to cook it through, just a quick color mission. Remove the chicken and follow the instructions. Before you set your rice to cook, lay the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture. Cook as normal. You’ll have a great chicken and rice one-pot meal.

Let’s get to this!

Amped Up Mexican Rice – Rice cooker

Easy, no-fail restaurant style Mexican rice in your rice cooker!

Course Side Dish

Ingredients

1-2 tablespoons oil
1 cup rice (I use Jasmine)
½ onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon tomato bouillon I use Knorr
2 tablespoons chipotle salsa
salt to taste
2 cups water
chopped cilantro for garnish (and flavor if you dig it)

Instructions

Set your rice cooker to saute. Add the oil. When the oil gets hot, add in the rice and begin toasting, stirring often. About 5 minutes in, add the onion. Saute for another 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes.
Cancel the saute function.
Add all other ingredients and stir well to combine.
Press the white rice setting. On the rice cooker I have I choose white rice and hard texture. It does not come out hard, just nicely separate and fluffy. Use your white rice setting on whichever machine you own.
When the cycle is finished let it sit for 5 minutes and fluff. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can make this with brown rice if that’s your jam. You will have to adjust the water per your machine and set it for brown rice. I have tried it that way and don’t prefer the flavor. It needs more ampage for my taste.

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