Saffron-Infused Spanish Rice with Tomatoes and Peas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

A vibrant saffron-scented Spanish rice cooked with fresh tomatoes and sweet peas, delivering a comforting and colorful side dish. This Spanish-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs long grain white rice, olive oil, small onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 large (about 8 oz) tomato, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, steep 1/4 tsp saffron threads in 1/4 cup hot chicken broth for 10 minutes to release color and flavor.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped small onion and 1 minced garlic clove, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the rice is lightly toasted and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 1 large chopped tomato, 1 cup frozen peas, 3 cups chicken broth (including the saffron-infused broth), 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let rice rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving to distribute the saffron and vegetables evenly.