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Mexican Chorizo Rice

Mexican chorizo rice with fluffy long-grain grains simmered in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and warm spices. Browned chorizo drippings infuse the rice with golden flavor, finished with fresh cilantro and lime.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rest time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Chorizo rice base
  • 8 oz chorizo Casings removed.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion Small, diced.
  • 3 garlic Cloves, minced.
  • 2 cup long-grain white rice
  • 3 cup chicken broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes With juices.
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 cup cilantro Chopped.
  • 1 lime Juiced.

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Brown the chorizo
  1. Crumble the chorizo into a large pot and cook over medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes, turning and breaking it up for even browning. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chorizo while leaving the drippings in the pot.
Sauté aromatics and toast rice
  1. Add the olive oil to the pot and sauté the diced onion over medium heat until softened, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until translucent at the edges. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring until fragrant and light golden.
  2. Stir in the long-grain white rice and toast for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the grains look slightly drier and lightly opaque with a toasty aroma.
Simmer until tender
  1. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juice, cumin, chili powder, and salt to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender with no pooling.
Finish and rest
  1. Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains, then stir in the cooked chorizo, chopped cilantro, and the lime juice for bright color throughout. Let the pot rest uncovered for 5 minutes so the final steam settles, then serve.

Notes

For best texture, keep the pot covered during the full 15 minutes of simmering so the liquid absorbs evenly; if the rice looks dry, let it simmer a few extra minutes. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days; freezer: yes, up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use chicken broth with reduced sodium and choose a lower-fat chorizo style to cut calories without changing the method.