Print

Flavorful Jailhouse Rice

Flavorful Jailhouse Rice
Print Recipe

Flavorful Jailhouse Rice is a quick, comforting one-pot meal bursting with vibrant spices and savory ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe uses simple pantry staples like long-grain rice, bell peppers, and aromatic spices, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals. It delivers bold, layered flavors with minimal effort and cleanup, offering versatility to serve as a main dish or side.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 ¾ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the onions and bell peppers finely, mince the garlic, and measure out all spices. Rinse the long-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and bell peppers, cooking for about 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, ensuring it is fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Toast the Spices and Rice: Add paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot with the sautéed vegetables. Stir continuously to toast the spices and release their aroma. Then add the rinsed rice, stirring to coat every grain with the oil and spices.
  4. Add Liquids and Simmer: Stir in the tomato paste and pour in the chicken broth, mixing everything well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
  5. Fluff and Rest: Once cooked, remove the pot from heat and keep it covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains and let steam escape before serving.

Notes

  • Rinse rice well to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy texture.
  • Toast spices on medium heat to avoid burning and bitterness.
  • Use rich chicken or vegetable broth to enhance flavor beyond plain water.
  • Allow rice to rest covered after cooking for perfect fluffiness.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning before serving to suit your preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot meal, quick rice recipe, comforting rice dish, spicy rice, easy dinner, pantry staples

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/flavorful-jailhouse-rice/