Description
Sizzling tex-mex shrimp and rice bake brings zesty southwestern flavors to dinner tables with bold spices and hearty ingredients. Comfort meets culinary adventure when friends gather around this one-pan wonder that promises delicious memories with each savory bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Grains and Liquid:
- 1 cup (200 grams) long-grain white rice
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 packet fajita seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Optional:
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheese
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to a sizzling 375°F, preparing for a vibrant Tex-Mex culinary adventure.
- Sear the shrimp in a blazing skillet with olive oil, cooking swiftly until they transform into a beautiful pink hue, roughly 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the succulent seafood to a waiting plate.
- In the same skillet, dance the bell peppers, onions, and aromatic spices together – introducing garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, and fajita seasoning. Allow the vegetables to soften and release their rich flavors for 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate rice and chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, bringing the ensemble to a robust boil. Immediately reduce heat, cover, and let simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the grains to absorb the spicy essence.
- Reunite the cooked shrimp with the rice, continuing to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes until the rice reaches perfect tenderness and liquid disappears completely.
- For cheese lovers, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese across the surface during the final 5 minutes of cooking, creating a molten, golden blanket.
- Season with salt and pepper, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors before serving this sizzling Tex-Mex creation piping hot.
Notes
- Swap shrimp with chicken or tofu for dietary flexibility, ensuring protein variety and catering to different preferences.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and controlling additional salt, making the dish heart-friendly.
- Choose brown rice instead of white rice to boost fiber content and enhance nutritional value, creating a more wholesome meal.
- Add fresh cilantro or lime juice just before serving to brighten flavors and introduce a fresh, zesty dimension to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg