Help Me Turn Boxed Chicken Flavored Rice Into Mexican Rice

Sugargirl1019

What should I add? Chili powder? Cumin? Oregano? Help. Haha no judgey, I have this box of rice and I want to make it work.

theartistformerlyknownas

Salsa. This is the normal recipe I use... if your box has the chickeny seasoning in a separate pouch I would add that to water instead of using broth. If it's mixed in with the rice already I might skip the browning stage in case the dry seasonings burn.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-spanish-rice/

wandajune6

FMIL (Mexican) makes her rice but sauteeing finely chopped onion in olive oil before adding the rice to the pot. She frequently uses instant rice and it tastes pretty great.

When she's dressing things up, she'll add a packet of Goya Sazon. I forget the exact name but it's in the orange box and it contains anchiotte. That's what makes it all orange-y and wonderful.

If you can find it, add 1/2 packet of the Sazon and skip the seasoning pack from whatever rice you're making.

Sugargirl1019

Thanks! I'll let you know how it ends up!

Sugargirl1019

My mother poopoo'd the idea of adding salsa. she said it's instant chicken rice, you'll ruin it by adding that in there, don't waste money by ruining things, the rice will go just fine with your enchiladas.

But it wonnntttt.... I can't wait to live on my own and mess up my own foods my own way. I've just started cooking this week, trying to be adventurous, and I like the idea of feeding DH.

lurkergirl

Does it have a packet of seasoning, or is the seasoning mixed in with the rice already?

kat1114

I'm too lazy to type out the recipe I use (also I just kind of make it by taste at this point), but this is the closest thing to it I could find online: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-authentic-mexican-rice-2/

Browning the rice is crucial. My nana also never used chicken broth- just water, tomato sauce, and seasonings.

Sugargirl1019

Seasoning is already mixed in.

I just put it on the stove, and I snuck some salsa in mwahaha

theartistformerlyknownas

Sugargirl1019 said:

Seasoning is already mixed in.

I just put it on the stove, and I snuck some salsa in mwahaha

Lol nice. I think it definitely needs the tomatoeyness.

APDSS22

In case the salsa makes it too wet, try sticking it in an oven at like 350 degrees to make it more tacky like you get it at Mexican restaurants.  I tried this recently and my husband thought it tasted a lot better because it was a better consistency.

Sugargirl1019

Oh the rice was so good!! Thanks for the salsa suggestion!

southernbelle0915

Cumin (lots), chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cilantro (dried is fine) and black pepper. Since its already boxed rice, I'm assuming there's salt already.

Sugargirl1019

Dinner must have been really good, DH pulled me upstairs for some fun before he left for his second job

But he says he had been wanting to do it all day.. He has redeemed himself from last night.

jynxiie

Maybe I'm lazy but I usually just add taco seasoning to it LOL... I'll chop up some onion and jalepenos too.