Transform your weeknight dinner with this incredibly flavorful and easy Enchilada Rice. Say goodbye to boring side dishes and hello to a vibrant taste experience that perfectly complements any Mexican or Tex-Mex meal.
Craving more Mexican-inspired culinary delights? Explore these fantastic side dish options: our refreshing Mexican Corn Salad or a zesty, homemade Tomatillo Salsa Verde. These recipes are sure to elevate your mealtime.
Elevate Your Meal with Easy Enchilada Rice: A Flavorful Mexican Side Dish
If you were faced with the delightful dilemma of choosing only one type of cuisine to savor for the rest of your life, what would it be? It’s a truly challenging question, isn’t it? Thankfully, it’s a hypothetical scenario we never truly have to confront. However, for me, the answer is unequivocally clear: Mexican food, in all its wonderful forms. Whether you call it Tex-Mex, Fresh-Mex, or authentic Mexican, I could happily indulge in its vibrant flavors every single day.
The allure of tacos, burritos, sopes, and enchiladas is simply irresistible. The harmonious blend of savory meats, fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and a touch of heat creates an unforgettable dining experience. It’s this deep passion for Mexican cuisine that makes me incredibly excited to share this fantastic Enchilada Rice recipe with you. Over the coming year, I’m thrilled to be partnering with Old El Paso to bring you a treasure trove of Mexican-inspired dishes. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to taste-test all these delicious creations!
Beyond the Ordinary: Why Enchilada Rice Stands Out
One common challenge many home cooks face, myself included, is finding exciting and flavorful side dishes, especially when planning a Mexican-themed meal. We’ve all been to Mexican restaurants where the rice and beans arrive alongside the main course, often sitting untouched because they lack flavor or character. Let’s be honest: those standard, often dry and bland, rice and bean accompaniments can be disappointing. While the entree is devoured with enthusiasm, the sides frequently go ignored.
This Enchilada Rice recipe is designed to change that perception entirely. Forget about boring, flavorless rice. This dish delivers a burst of authentic Mexican taste with every bite, making it a star on its own. What’s even better is how incredibly simple it is to prepare. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can transform plain rice into a side dish that’s as exciting as your main course. It’s almost as easy as opening a can of Old El Paso Enchilada sauce and stirring it into freshly cooked rice. To enhance the depth of flavor and add a touch of mild warmth, I’ve incorporated diced green chiles – a personal obsession of mine. And, of course, a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro is absolutely essential for that bright, herbaceous finish.
This vibrant Enchilada Rice is the ideal companion for virtually any Mexican night centerpiece. Imagine serving it alongside sizzling tacos, cheesy enchiladas, hearty burritos, or even grilled chicken or fish. Its versatility and irresistible flavor profile make it a must-have in your recipe repertoire.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Enchilada Rice
Crafting delicious Enchilada Rice requires just a handful of simple, readily available ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich and satisfying flavor profile of this beloved side dish.
- Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing the onion, which forms the aromatic base of this dish. While extra-virgin olive oil is excellent, feel free to use any cooking oil you prefer, such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil. The goal is to gently soften the onion and infuse the pan with a subtle, rich flavor before the rice is added.
- Onion: Chopped yellow or white onion provides a foundational sweetness and savory depth. When cooked until soft and translucent, onions release their natural sugars, contributing a nuanced flavor that enhances the overall taste of the rice. Finely dicing the onion ensures it integrates smoothly into the rice without being overtly chunky.
- Rice: Long grain white rice is the ideal choice for this recipe. Its individual grains cook up fluffy and separate, absorbing the rich enchilada sauce beautifully without becoming sticky or clumpy. Avoid using instant rice, as its texture and cooking properties differ significantly and won’t yield the desired results. For best results, consider rinsing your rice thoroughly under cold water before cooking to remove excess starch, which helps achieve that perfectly fluffy texture.
- Enchilada Sauce: This is truly the star ingredient, delivering the signature rich, savory, and slightly tangy flavor that defines Enchilada Rice. A good quality mild red enchilada sauce, such as Old El Paso Mild Red Enchilada Sauce, makes this dish incredibly simple yet incredibly flavorful. Its convenient canned form means you don’t need to spend extra time making a sauce from scratch, making this a perfect weeknight recipe.
- Green Chiles: Diced green chiles add a layer of mild heat and a distinct, earthy flavor that complements the enchilada sauce beautifully. They provide a subtle kick without overpowering the dish, enhancing its authentic Mexican character. If you’re sensitive to heat, rest assured that canned green chiles are generally very mild. However, if you prefer, you can easily omit them or substitute with a milder bell pepper for color and crunch. For those who love a bit more spice, consider using a can of hot diced green chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped cilantro is a non-negotiable for me in Mexican cooking. Its bright, citrusy, and slightly peppery notes add an essential layer of freshness and vibrant color to the finished dish. If you happen to be one of the few who aren’t fond of cilantro’s unique flavor, fresh parsley makes an excellent substitute, offering a similar herbaceous lift without the polarizing taste. Always stir it in at the end to preserve its fresh aroma and bright green hue.
Effortless Preparation: How to Make Enchilada Rice
Creating this flavorful Enchilada Rice is a straightforward process that yields impressive results with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time.
Step 1: Sauté the Onion
Begin by heating the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion and sauté gently until it becomes soft and translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. This crucial step softens the onion, mellows its pungent flavor, and allows its natural sweetness to emerge, laying a flavorful foundation for the rice.
Step 2: Cook the Rice to Perfection
Pour the water into the saucepan with the sautéed onion and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, stir in the uncooked long grain rice. Give it a good stir to ensure all the grains are submerged and not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Immediately reduce the heat to its lowest setting, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and allow the rice to simmer undisturbed for 15 to 18 minutes. It’s important not to lift the lid during this time, as the steam is essential for properly cooking the rice. The rice is done when all the water has been absorbed and the grains are tender. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This resting period allows the steam to redistribute, resulting in perfectly fluffy grains. Finally, fluff the rice gently with a fork before proceeding.
Step 3: Combine for Flavor
Once the rice is cooked and fluffed, it’s time to infuse it with its signature enchilada flavor. Pour the entire can of enchilada sauce over the rice, followed by the diced green chiles and the fresh chopped cilantro. Using a spoon or spatula, gently stir all the ingredients together until the rice is evenly coated with the vibrant red sauce and the chiles and cilantro are well distributed. At this point, taste the Enchilada Rice and season with salt and pepper if needed. Often, the enchilada sauce provides enough seasoning, so additional salt may not be necessary. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions and Customizations
Enchilada Rice is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic side for almost any meal that benefits from a Mexican or Tex-Mex twist. Beyond traditional tacos and enchiladas, consider pairing it with grilled chicken fajitas, slow-cooker carnitas, or even a simple pan-seared steak for a quick weeknight dinner. For a heartier vegetarian meal, serve it alongside black bean burgers or stuffed bell peppers. It’s also delicious as a base for a burrito bowl, topped with your favorite proteins, vegetables, and salsas.
Creative Variations to Try:
- Cheesy Enchilada Rice: Stir in 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend cheese immediately after adding the enchilada sauce. The residual heat from the rice will melt the cheese into a gooey, irresistible addition.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and texture by folding in cooked corn kernels (fresh or frozen), diced bell peppers, or even a can of drained and rinsed black beans along with the enchilada sauce.
- Spicier Kick: If you love heat, use a hot enchilada sauce instead of mild, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to taste.
- Make it a Main: Transform this side dish into a complete meal by stirring in cooked, shredded chicken, ground beef, or seasoned crumbled tofu. Top with extra cheese and bake briefly until bubbly for a comforting casserole-style dish.
- Garnish Galore: Beyond cilantro, consider garnishing your Enchilada Rice with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, sliced green onions, or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
More Tex-Mex Favorites to Explore
If you’re anything like me and can’t get enough of delicious Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors, be sure to check out some of my other popular recipes:
Crispy Black Bean Tacos
Savory Green Chicken Enchiladas
Refreshing Taco Salad
Indulgent Tres Leches Cake
Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas
Enchilada Rice
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
- 1 can 10 oz mild Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce
- 1 can 4.5 oz Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Pour the water into the pan. Bring to a boil. Add the rice, stir, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the rice cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Pour the enchilada sauce into the rice, followed by the green chiles and the cilantro. Stir to combine thoroughly.
As a proud partner with Old El Paso, this post has been sponsored. I am dedicated to collaborating with brands and organizations that I genuinely believe in and use in my own kitchen. Thank you for your continued support of these wonderful partners.