Rotel Rice

Rotel Mexican Rice – effortless to make and packed full of amazing flavor! White rice, butter, chicken broth, taco seasoning, cumin, and Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles. It is the perfect side dish for all of your Mexican-inspired meals. One bite and this is sure to become a family favorite!

scooping mexican rice from a baking dish with text overlay

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Easy Rotel Rice Recipe

This Rotel Mexican Rice is a must for your next taco night! It is super simple to make and tastes great! Tender rice infused with the bold and zesty flavors of taco seasoning and cumin, baked in savory chicken broth and enriched with a touch of butter. But what takes this dish to the next level is the addition of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles. It adds an extra layer of flavor and a kick of heat to the dish. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your Mexican-inspired meals and a delightful way to spice up your dinner table.

baking dish of rotel mexican rice on a table

How to Make Baked Mexican Rotel Rice

This side dish is effortless to make with only a few simple ingredients. Rince long grain white rice and spread it into the bottom of a 2-qt baking dish. Sprinkle the rice with taco seasoning, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken broth, Rotel tomatoes, and butter. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and stir the rice. Bake uncovered for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Fluff the rice mixture with a fork and garnish with cilantro.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I have to rinse the rice? Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and helps the grains remain separate. It may be sticky or gummy if you don’t rinse the rice.
  • Can I use brown rice? I am sure you can, but I have not tried this recipe with brown rice, so I can not say what modifications need to be made.
    • Brown rice requires more cooking liquid and takes longer to cook.
  • I use 4 to 6 tablespoons of butter. I think that is plenty of butter. You can increase the amount to a whole stick of butter for richer rice.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
  • I suggest using low-sodium chicken broth or salt-free chicken broth.
  • What can I add to the rice?
    • Sauteed onion
    • bell pepper
    • cooked ground beef
    • black beans
    • corn
    • shredded cheese
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
    • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.
scooping mexican rice from a baking dish

What to Serve with Rotel Mexican Rice

This easy Mexican rice recipe is a staple at our house. I make it all the time! It is the perfect side dish to all of your favorite Tex-Mex dishes. For a classic combination, serve it alongside flavorful tacos, whether they’re filled with seasoned ground beef or chicken. Enchiladas, whether stuffed with cheese, chicken, or beef, are another excellent choice, as they complement the rice’s spicy kick and tomatoey goodness.

For a heartier option, consider serving it with a sizzling plate of fajitas featuring tender strips of grilled meat and veggies. And don’t forget about Mexican-style grilled or baked chicken seasoned with spices and lime juice, which harmonizes beautifully with the Rotel Mexican Rice. With these main dish pairings, you’ll create a memorable Mexican-inspired feast that’s sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Looking for more Mexican recipes? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Taco Spaghetti

Taco Spaghetti Recipe – THE BEST! We ate this three days in a row! Ready in 30 minutes!! Taco meat,…

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scooping mexican rice from a baking dish with text overlay

Rotel Rice

Yield: 6 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Rotel Mexican Rice – effortless to make and packed full of amazing flavor! White rice, butter, chicken broth, taco seasoning, cumin, and Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles. It is the perfect side dish for all of your Mexican-inspired meals. One bite and this is sure to become a family favorite!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice rinsed
  • 2 Tbsp taco seasoning or to taste
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 2⅔ cups unsalted chicken broth
  • 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 4 to 6 Tbsp butter
  • salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Add all the ingredients to the prepared pan.
  • Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil. Stir the rice and bake uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

Notes:

  • Do I have to rinse the rice? Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and helps the grains remain separate. It may be sticky or gummy if you don’t rinse the rice.
  • Can I use brown rice? I am sure you can, but I have not tried this recipe with brown rice, so I can not say what modifications need to be made. 
    • Brown rice requires more cooking liquid and takes longer to cook.
  • I use 4 to 6 tablespoons of butter. I think that is plenty of butter. You can increase the amount to a whole stick of butter for richer rice.
  • Here is our recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning made with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/
  • I suggest using low-sodium chicken broth or salt-free chicken broth.
  • What can I add to the rice? 
    • Sauteed onion
    • bell pepper
    • Cooked ground beef
    • black beans
    • corn
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
    • Reheat leftovers in the microwave.

Steph

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baking dish of rotel mexican rice on a table with text overlay
scooping mexican rice from a baking dish with text overlay

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Comments

  1. I have made this recipe several times now and we absolutely love it! Just the right amount of heat and tons of great flavor. I use chopped onion instead of dried and I don’t pulse the Rotel. Perfect every time!

  2. We love Mexican rice. Definitely gonna give this a try. I like that the tomatoes are pulverized. I'm not especially fond of tomatoes but like what they add to a dish.
    ~ingrid

    1. I agree. I did not put my tomatoes w/chilis through the food processor. Tastes so much better. Also, a little cilantro at the end adds flavor

  3. It looks perfect and delicious!! I think that the Rotel tomatoes are a perfect addition for Red Rice, Spanish Rice or Mexican rice!

  4. I would be all over that, but I'd have to make it just for myself. My girlfriend won't eat anything mixture of rice and tomatoes. Heh.

  5. I love Mexican Rice. It disappoints me when some Mexican Restaurants will just use instant or frozen (you can always tell the difference) Your recipe is a keeper. I have to try it this weekend, hubby loves Mexican dishes.

  6. I looking for a Mexican Rice recipe and this sure sounds easy and looks delicious. I like using Retel and we'll try it soon.

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