Pancheros Rice Recipe
Do you want an easy and tasty rice dish? This Pancheros Rice Recipe is perfect. You can make it at home. It tastes like the rice from Pancheros restaurants.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ¾ cups water or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder optional
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- Optional: diced tomatoes or green chilies for extra flavor
Instructions
Rinse the Rice
- Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until water runs clear. Drain using a strainer.
Heat Oil in a Pan
- Add 1 tablespoon oil to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until shimmering.
Sauté Onions and Garlic
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Stir frequently for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the Rice
- Add rinsed rice to the pan. Stir to coat rice with oil and onions for 2 minutes.
Add Spices
- Sprinkle salt, cumin, and chili powder. Stir well to combine all flavors.
Pour in Liquid
- Add 1 ¾ cups water or chicken broth. Mix gently, making sure rice is evenly submerged.
Bring to a Boil
- Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Do not stir while boiling.
Simmer Covered
- Lower the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15–18 minutes. Rice should absorb all liquid.
Rest the Rice
- Turn off heat and let rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes to fluff naturally.
Add Lime and Cilantro
- Squeeze lime juice over the rice. Mix in chopped cilantro gently with a fork.
Serve Warm
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve warm with your favorite tacos, burritos, or grilled meat.
Notes
- Use Chicken Broth: Swap water with chicken or vegetable broth for richer flavor.
- Add Veggies: Mix in diced bell peppers, corn, or peas while cooking for colorful rice.
- Spicy Option: Add jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
- Non-stick Tip: Use a non-stick pan to prevent rice from sticking to the bottom.
- Cilantro-Free Version: Use parsley if you don’t like cilantro, but lime is essential.