Are you ready to transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico without leaving your kitchen? This mouthwatering One Pot Puerto Rican Rice is about to become your new favorite comfort food that's not just delicious, but incredibly easy to prepare! Imagine a single pot filled with aromatic spices, tender rice, hearty black beans, and colorful vegetables - all coming together in less than an hour to create a meal that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 2 cups of long-grain rice, 4 cups of chicken broth, 1 can of black beans (15 oz), 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 diced onion, 3 minced cloves of garlic, 1 tsp of cumin, 1 tsp of paprika, salt and pepper to taste, and fresh cilantro for garnish.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Stir in the cumin and paprika, allowing the spices to toast for about 30 seconds to enhance their flavors.
- Add the rinsed black beans to the pot, stirring to combine with the sautéed vegetables and spices.
- Pour in the 4 cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the 2 cups of long-grain rice to the pot. Stir well to ensure the rice is evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Stir again, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid.
- Allow the rice to simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure proper cooking.
- After the cooking time is complete, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. This will help the rice finish cooking and become fluffy.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork, mixing in the beans and vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the Puerto Rican rice in bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.
Tips
- Use long-grain rice for the best texture and prevent the rice from becoming mushy.
- Toast your spices (cumin and paprika) briefly before adding liquids to enhance their depth of flavor.
- Resist the temptation to lift the lid while the rice is cooking - this helps maintain consistent steam and even cooking.
- Let the rice rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow it to absorb any remaining moisture and become perfectly fluffy.
- For extra richness, you can substitute some of the chicken broth with sofrito or add a splash of olive oil.
- Fresh cilantro is key for that authentic Puerto Rican flavor, so don't skip the garnish!
- If you want to add protein, consider mixing in some cooked shredded chicken or chorizo before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 5mg
