Looking for a traditional enchilada recipe? My Easy Chicken Enchiladas and my Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole are both so easy to make and really hit the spot!
Enchilada Rice
Mexican food is my all-time favorite cuisine. Give me a Margarita, Tortilla chips, and Salsa, and I’ll be happy! This enchilada rice makes the perfect side dish for any Mexican meal. I love to serve my rice with some refried beans and tacos! Add shredded chicken, grilled shrimp, fish, or beef to this rice to make it a one-pot meal! You can also make it vegetarian and keep it as is (just make sure to substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock). I made my own homemade enchilada sauce. It’s super easy to whip up and requires only pantry staples. If you’re short on time you can always use canned enchilada sauce or taco sauce. This is also a great way to use up leftover rice. Toss already cooked rice with enchilada sauce, sautéed onions, garlic, corn, and beans. That’s it! Serve with a dollop of sour cream a sprinkle of cheese and fresh cilantro! All you need is 35 minutes and one pot to whip up this Enchilada Rice!
What you’ll need to make Enchilada Rice
Oil: A neutral-tasting oil like olive oil is perfect for this enchilada rice recipe. Onion & Garlic: These two ingredients pack in a ton of flavor! For ease, you add minced garlic from a jar! Bell pepper: I like to throw in some diced green bell pepper. It brings a little more color and also doesn’t add any extra sweetness like other colors of bell pepper would. Black beans: Black beans add protein and make this enchilada rice recipe SO filling. Corn: I mixed in frozen corn as that’s what I had on hand, however, if corn is in season, definitely go for fresh! It tastes much better than frozen! Salsa: Use your favorite salsa! You can add mild, hot for some heat, or even fire-roasted for a hint of smokiness. Rice: For enchilada rice, you’ll need some cooked rice. Either white or brown will work well. If you have leftover rice, this is a great way to use it up! Cilantro: For a burst of freshness I added cilantro. Cilantro goes with all things Mexican (savory, that is!). Enchilada sauce: I included a recipe for homemade enchilada sauce, however, you can also add one 10oz can a little at a time to suit your taste.
Enchilada Sauce
Flour: Plain, all-purpose flour thickens up this homemade enchilada sauce. Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour if needed. Stock: I like to add chicken stock for flavor and seasoning. If you want to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan add vegetable stock instead. Seasoning: Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano are mixed together to create a powerful Mexican taste! If you like it spicier, add extra chili powder! Sugar: I added a tiny amount of sugar just to balance all of the other flavors. I chose light brown sugar to give the sweetness a hint of caramel flavor as well.
How to make enchilada rice
Optional Toppings
Shredded Mexican cheese Diced avocado Sour cream or greek yogurt Fresh chopped cilantro Diced red onion Black olives
How to make homemade enchilada sauce?
Making your own enchilada sauce at home is super easy! It goes so well with this enchilada rice recipe, and also in traditional enchiladas. I like to make a double batch of this and keep the rest in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months! Here’s how to make it:
Tips for Success
Use fresh corn if it’s in season. If not, frozen corn works just as well! For extra heat use hot salsa or add in diced jalapeno. If you want this to be milder use less chili powder in the enchilada sauce and use mild salsa! White or brown rice can be used. This is also great with leftover pre-cooked rice! You can make this recipe lower carb by using riced cauliflower. To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
What to serve with enchilada rice
This enchilada rice recipe goes with all of your favorite Mexican dishes, whether it’s tacos, shredded meat, baked fish, or inside a burrito. Here are a few tasty ideas for inspiration:
Shredded Mexican Chicken Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole Chicken Enchiladas Instant Pot Carnitas Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Barbacoa Beef Blackened Salmon Refried Black Beans Pico de gallo Homemade tortilla chips Mexican Kale Salad Guacamole
Here are more recipes to make with homemade enchilada sauce!
Easy Chicken Enchiladas Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole Mexican Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers 20 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
