Spanish rice

American  

noun

1. rice prepared with chopped onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and sometimes diced ham, seasoned with cayenne pepper and mixed with butter.

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Spanish rice British  

noun

1. rice cooked with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, etc, and often flavoured with saffron

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Etymology

Origin of Spanish rice

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

I had a tender chicken breast powder coated in parsley, oregano and garlic, served with Spanish rice, refried black beans and a vibrant churrasco salsa.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 9, 2022

While I walked blindly through the valleys of paella disappointment, a few brave souls were at work on righting the wrongs of the Spanish rice world.

From The Guardian • Mar. 10, 2017

At St. Mary’s school, Monday’s lunch was to be Mexicali chicken, Spanish rice and golden corn.

From New York Times • May 28, 2011

Recipe:  Italian-Style Beef-and-Pepperoni Soup Article: Madoline Markham Smothered Enchiladas Beef-filled tortillas served over Spanish rice and smothered with a creamy sauce make a filling and delicious weeknight supper.

From Southern Living • Feb. 22, 2010

“I sort of used a lot of that canned stuff, though. I like that Spanish rice they got and that spaghetti with the tomato gravy.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole