This homemade Chicken Mexican Rice recipe with drumsticks is full of delicious flavor. Depending on the salsa you use, it can be mild or spicy. Everything is cooked in one pan, making it an easy family dinner. This is a great budget recipe, especially when you use chicken drumsticks.
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I am really excited about the newest recipe in my budget series. This easy dinner recipe is full of flavor. I used chicken drumsticks in this recipe because they are inexpensive, but any bone in cut of chicken will work well.
This recipe can be made mild or spicy, or somewhere in between, so you can customize it any way you like. It is also a forgiving recipe; you can use your favorite brand of salsa!
If you need more dinner inspiration, I have a lot of great gluten-free dinner recipes on the blog. Rice is such a staple in a gluten free diet. It tastes incredible in this budget Breakfast Fried Rice recipe as well.
Cost To Make This Recipe:
Prices are calculated based on pricing at our local Walmart store. For this chicken recipe, the cost is based on feeding six people because there are six chicken legs in the package. The total cost was $9.27.
Allergen Information:
This homemade Mexican Chicken Rice recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, and egg-free.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Chicken Legs – Any cut of chicken works well in this recipe.
- Salsa – Use any brand you enjoy.
- Onion – I used a sweet yellow onion, but any variety will work.
- Chicken Broth – I use low-sodium chicken broth, but it is a personal preference.
- Jasmine Rice—I like to use Jasmine rice, but basmati would also work. I do not recommend brown rice because it has a very different cooking time.
- Seasonings – Paprika, Garlic Powder, and Cumin.
- Cooking Oil – Use what you have on hand.
- Cilantro – I prefer using fresh cilantro for the flavor it adds.
Tips For Success
1. Use white rice; it is better balanced with the chicken’s cooking time.
2. If you have time, cook the diced onion before adding it to the dish. It will soften more than if just baked in the pan.
3. Optional – Feel free to top this dish with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to make this a cheesy Mexican chicken and rice.
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Step 1: Add the spice rub ingredients to a small dish and mix them well. Add the chicken and spice rub to a large zipper bag. Seal it shut and shake it for 30 seconds to coat all of the chicken in the spice rub. Let this sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. It is even better if you can let it sit overnight.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Place a yellow onion on a cutting board and cut it into small pieces. It is optional to pre-cook the onions or toss them raw in the casserole dish. It tastes good both ways, but the onions will add a little crunch if you don’t pre-cook them. (I didn’t pre-cook mine.)
Chop your fresh cilantro and add the cilantro, onion, and spices to the casserole dish.
Step 3: Mix the salsa, chicken broth, and rice in the casserole dish.
Step 4: Add the spice-coated chicken legs on top of the rice mixture.
Step 5: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs. The chicken legs are cooked when the thermometer reads 165º F. The rice should also be softened and cooked.
Step 6: Garnish with more fresh cilantro and serve hot.
You may also love this stovetop Chicken Legs and Vegetables and Air Fryer Kielbasa dinner recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use boneless chicken. It may affect the baking time, and you will want to make sure the rice is soft before serving.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave oven or on the stovetop.
I am always hesitant to recommend freezing gluten free pasta or rice. Both get pretty mushy when it is reheated.
More Gluten-Free Budget Recipes:
- Gluten-Free Beef Stroganoff – Make it with ground beef for an inexpensive meal.
- Gluten-Free Ziti Casserole – This will feed a crowd!
- Easy Gluten-Free Salisbury Steak – Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice.
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Easy Mexican Chicken Rice
Ingredients
Chicken Rub
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Assembly/Meal
- 1 pound chicken legs * see notes
- 1 ½ cups jasmine rice * see notes
- 16 ounces salsa mild, medium, or spicy
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil use if you are pre-cooking the onion.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro
Would you like to save this recipe?
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
Spice Rub
- Add the spice rub ingredients to a small dish and mix them well. Add the chicken and spice rub to a large zipper bag. Seal it shut and shake it for 30 seconds to coat all of the chicken in the spice rub. Let this sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. It is even better if you can let it sit overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Place a yellow onion on a cutting board and cut it into small pieces. It is optional to pre-cook the onions or toss them raw in the casserole dish. It tastes good both ways, but the onions will add a little crunch if you don't pre-cook them. (I didn't pre-cook mine.)
- Chop your fresh cilantro and add the cilantro, onion, and spices to the casserole dish.
- Mix the salsa, chicken broth, and rice in the casserole dish.
- Place the spice-coated chicken legs on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs. The chicken legs are cooked when the thermometer reads 165º F. The rice should also be softened and cooked.
- Note the baking time will vary depending on whether you use bone in or boneless chicken, and what cuts of chicken you are cooking in the pan.
- Garnish with more fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
- I use chicken drumsticks in this easy Mexican chicken rice recipe, but other cuts of chicken work well. I also like to use chicken quarters.
- Use Jasmine or Basmati rice. Brown rice has a longer cooking temperature and may not cook through in this recipe.
- Use any brand of salsa you enjoy. You also have full control of the spice level from mild to spicy.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for 3 days. Reheat in the microwave oven or on the stovetop.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
do you ever do this in the Instant pot?
Hi Louise, I haven’t tried this recipe in the Instant Pot. Please let me know if you try it.