Best Easy Arroz con Rajas Recipe

Rice cooked with roasted poblano strips and corn in a creamy, mildly spicy preparation. This vegetarian, family-friendly side dish adds smoky depth to any Mexican meal.

Cook 45 min Difficulty NORMAL 230 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #side dish
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Long-grain white rice 1.5 cups
  • Poblano peppers 3 pieces
  • Sweet corn kernels 1 cup
  • White onion 0.5 pieces
  • Heavy cream 0.5 cup
  • Vegetable broth 2.25 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Olive oil 2 tbsp
  • Kosher salt 1.25 tsp
  • Black pepper 0.25 tsp
  • Cilantro (chopped) 2 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 34 g 59%
Protein 6 g 10%
Fat 8 g 31%
Serving size 180g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Roast the poblano peppers directly over an open flame or under a broiler until the skins are charred, turning occasionally for even roasting (5–8 minutes). Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let steam for 10 minutes to loosen the skins.

  2. 2

    While peppers are steaming, rinse the rice in cold water until water runs clear, then drain thoroughly to prevent stickiness.

  3. 3

    Peel the poblanos, remove stems and seeds, and slice into thin strips. Finely dice the onion.

  4. 4

    In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions for 2 minutes until translucent, then add the rice and cook, stirring, until lightly golden and nutty (about 3–4 minutes).

  5. 5

    Stir in the poblano strips and corn, then pour in vegetable broth and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15–18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

  6. 6

    Uncover, gently fold in the heavy cream, and cook on low heat for 2 more minutes until creamy and heated through. Remove from heat.

  7. 7

    Let the arroz con rajas sit, covered, for 5 minutes off heat to finish steaming. Fluff with a fork and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The key ingredients are the roasted poblano peppers, which provide smoky flavor and mild heat, and the creamy rice base. Their combination defines the signature taste and texture of Arroz con Rajas.
Q. Which cooking step is crucial for perfect rice texture?
Sautéing the rinsed rice in olive oil until lightly golden before simmering is essential. This step helps keep the rice grains fluffy and prevents stickiness after cooking.
Q. How do you keep the peppers tender but not mushy?
Roasting and then steaming the poblanos lets you peel them easily, and slicing them after this process preserves a pleasant, tender texture. Gentle folding into the rice during simmering avoids overcooking.
Q. How many calories and what is the nutrition breakdown per serving?
Each serving of this Arroz con Rajas recipe contains about 230 kcal, with 34g carbohydrates (59% of calories), 6g protein (10%), and 8g fat (31%).
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