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Green Chili Rice

Cheesy, flavorful and bursting with unctuous gusto that will have your family BEGGING for more! This Green Chili Rice is sure to hit the regular dinner rotation! It couldn’t be easier and I’ll show you how in just a few easy steps! 

round red dish with rice inside

Why This Recipe Works

  • Easy
  • Fast
  • Just Mix and Go!
  • Terrific flavors from the green chili and pepper jack cheeses!
  • Add in a few things of your own and make it an entire meal! (Chicken, veggies, etc.)

Here’s How It’s Done

STEP 1. 

Make your rice (I use Minute Rice). 

overhead shot of a small blue bowl of rice on a green napkin

STEP 2. 

Mix in the other ingredients. Top with cheese.

measuring cup adding water to a bowl of rice

STEP 3. 

Bake. (It’s really that easy!)

shiny cheese topped rice in round red dish

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Is Green Chili Rice Spicy? 

This dish does have a certain spice level to it, but I wouldn’t call it spicy. If you can handle the spiciness of the salsa at your local Mexican joint, you can handle this. It IS a cheesy chili rice though! YUM!

To make it not spicy at all, be sure to purchase the MILD green chilis for this recipe. 

For a fast version, try with minute rice. Here’s how I fix mine: How to Cook Minute Rice on Stove Recipe (Instant).

Can I Make Green Chili Rice Ahead? 

Yes! Absolutely, you can

  1. Make it ahead and then bake it when you are ready to serve OR 
  2. it reheats beautifully. 
  3. Reheat at 350 for 20 minutes in the oven or 
  4. in microwave safe containers for 1 minute intervals. 

What Can I Add to Green Rice Chili? 

There is probably any number of items you can add to this dish to make it an entire one dish dinner, but I recommend trying….

  • Chicken
  • Black Beans
  • Rotel
  • Turkey
  • Ground Beef
  • Any ground meat or ground meat substitute with taco seasoning
  • All kinds of veggies like
  • Broccoli
  • Peppers
  • Carrots
  • Onions

Can I Use Cauliflower Rice Instead? 

I have never tried this, but I can’t see why not? 

Can I Freeze This Dish? 

Yes, you can. Place in a freezer safe container, remove as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months. 

How Do I Reheat this Cheesy Chili Rice Dish? 

  • Heat in the oven at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
  • Reheat in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 1 minute intervals until heated through. 

What Do I Serve with Green Chili Rice? 

This dish is excellent with…

Good Asterix Chicken

Sweet Tea Chicken

White Chicken Enchiladas

NC Brunswick Stew

Tips and Tricks

  • If using the minute rice or instant rice for this cheesy chili rice recipe, be careful when mixing so you don’t turn the rice to mush. Just gently fold the other ingredients in. 
  • It’s fine to substitute other types of cheese. A good cheddar is also good as is any melty cheese like a gruyere cheese! 
  • Try topping your rice with a crunchy and buttery topping like ritz crackers or crushed up potato chips mixed with butter. 
  • Make MORE by doubling the recipe and baking in a 9×13 baking dish. 
  • You will definitely want to spray the pan first before adding the rice, it can be a sticky dish. 
  • This is not a typical mexican rice dish though

If You Enjoyed This Rice Dish, You Might Also Like…

Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Popeyes Red Beans and Rice

Restaurant Style Chicken Fried Rice

spoonful of green chili rice in red dish

Ya’ll Help Me Out, OK? 

Please leave a 5 STAR comment in the comments section below. This helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes. 

round red dish with rice inside

Green Chili Rice

Cheesy, flavorful and bursting with unctuous gusto that will have your family BEGGING for more! This Green Chili Rice is sure to hit the regular dinner rotation! It couldn’t be easier and I’ll show you how in just a few easy steps!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheesy chili rice, green chili rice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 321kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of cooked rice
  • ½ Cup Sour Cream
  • 1 Cup Green Onions chopped.
  • 4 oz green chilis chopped
  • 1 ½ Cup Pepper Jack Cheese shredded
  • 2 Tbs butter melted
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 tsp parsley dried - optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350.
  • Spray a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Then coat the bottom of the dish with 2-3 Tbs parmesan cheese.
  • In a large bowl mix together the cooked rice, sour cream, green onions, green chilis, 1 cup of pepper jack, melted butter, cayenne, salt and pepper until well mixed and then pour into the prepared baking dish.
  • Top with the remaining ½ cup of Pepper Jack cheese, remaining parmesan cheese and dried parsley.
  • Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until heated through a bubbly.

Notes

  • If using the minute rice or instant rice, be careful when mixing so you don’t turn the rice to mush. Just gently fold the other ingredients in.
  • It’s fine to substitute other types of cheese. A good cheddar is also good as is any melty cheese like a gruyere cheese!
  • Try topping your rice with a crunchy and buttery topping like ritz crackers or crushed up potato chips mixed with butter.
  • Make MORE by doubling the recipe and baking in a 9x13 baking dish.
    You will definitely want to spray the pan first before adding the rice, it can be a sticky dish.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Green Chili Rice
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cup)
Calories 321 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 543mg23%
Potassium 125mg4%
Carbohydrates 40g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 490IU10%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 233mg23%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A Verse To Share

I heard some terrible racial slurs this week. I don’t know what this passage says to you, but to me it says that everyone on earth is my brother and sister. 

Revelations 7:9-10

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Louise Hersey

Friday 18th of March 2022

I just watched your video for quick mexican rice. it starts out with 1 cup water and doesn't show how much rice. sounds delicious, will try with 1/2 cup rice with 1 cup water.

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 19th of March 2022

Thanks Louise, I am looking into it. This recipe is different but accurate. Thanks!

Marcia

Saturday 27th of June 2020

Definitely 5 star. So creamy and delicious. Reminds me of risotto!

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 28th of June 2020

Oh GREAT! I'm glad you loved it!

Wendi Spraker

Friday 5th of June 2020

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