↑

Morgan Manages Mommyhood

making being a mom simple and being a kid memorable

  • About
    • About Morgan Manages Mommyhood
    • Contact Me
  • Parenting
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Preschool
    • Picky Eaters
  • Mom Life
    • Breastfeeding
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy
  • Baby Led Weaning
  • Kids Music
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Snacks
    • Dinner
    • Desserts
  • Holidays
    • Christmas
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Halloween

Mexican Fried Rice

July 9, 2020 By Morgan Last Updated: September 18, 2020

1088 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Mexican Fried Rice is going to be your new go to for a quick weeknight dinner. Using a family favorite as the base, this kid friendly meal is an easy way to introduce new flavors to picky eaters. This Mexican recipe for kids is super customizable and easy to prep ahead.

a white bowl filled with Mexican fried rice, fresh cilantro, and a wedge of lime.
This easy weeknight meal for kids is going to be your new favorite. Prep the rice the morning before and dice up the veggie to make the dish even easier!

This post was originally posted March 9, 2018 and was most recently updated July 9, 2020 to improve user experience.

Raising adventurous eaters with Mexican Fried Rice

One of my food goals for them is to be adventurous eaters and willing to try new flavors.

But that can be difficult with little kids. It’s so easy to get caught in a safe zone. Next thing you know, you’re serving the same 5 dinners weekly and your kids will only eat quesadillas.

Not that that’s happened to me, of course.

a white bowl heaped with mexican fried rice and topped with orange cheddar cheese and a dollop of white sour cream
Give your kids the option to top your Mexican Fried Rice with whatever they’d like. Lay out cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa to choose from.

Trying new flavors

My favorite way to get kids to try new flavors is to take something familiar and transform it. One of my boys’ favorite foods is rice. Fried rice is pretty much a weekly meal here, both because they love it and it’s super cheap.

Tips for making Mexican Fried Rice

  • You can easily substitute half of the rice for some cauliflower to add some hidden veggies. Add the cauliflower when you add your corn and cook through.
  • I used white rice here but I’ve used brown plenty of times. That being said, if you’re trying to introduce a new flavor profile, I suggest sticking to what they like.
  • Use cooled rice when making for the best results.
  • Top with kid friendly favorites like cheese, sour cream, and salsa to encourage them to dig in. Mom and dad can top with hot sauce and a squeeze of lime.
  • Even better, make a topping bar! Encourage kids to try new flavor combos by giving them the power.
Click here to subscribe

You May Need…

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Thanks so much for being a part of Morgan Manages Mommyhood!

I’m really, really, famously bad at making rice. If you’re like me, try a rice cooker! This one makes 20 cups if you want, so you could make a HUGE batch and use all week or freeze.

A while bowl with mexican fried rice and cilantro piled high dotted with black beans, corn, and tomato
This recipe can be a great dinner for picky eaters. Add veggies your kids love or sub some rice for cauliflower.

Want to sneak in more veggies?

If you’re looking to add more veggies, try grabbing some rice cauliflower at the store. It’s sold at my local grocery store both frozen and fresh. Saute it up with the veggies, and cook about 2 minutes.

Want to get the kids involved making this easy Mexican rice?

Here are some ideas for getting kids in the kitchen when making this recipe.

  • Use a food chopper to have your kids help your cut up the veggies.
  • Let them stir in the cheese at the end (with close supervision if on the stove).
  • Have kids pick the leaves off the stems of fresh herbs.
  • Teach kids ratios by allowing them to measure out the rice and water.

Mexican Fried Rice

Easy Mexican fried rice is the perfect weeknight meal for kids. It’s customizable to your family’s tastes and simple to add extra veggies into. You’re going to love this easy, kid friendly dinner.

If you enjoy this recipe, please remember to vote 5 stars! It helps others find it, and makes my day!

a closeup of mexican fried rice in a white bowl on a grey background with cilantro
0 from 0 votes
Print

Mexican Fried Rice

Mexican Fried Rice is going to be your new go to for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner. Using a kid favorite as the base, this kid friendly dinner is the perfect vehicle to introduce new flavors and encourage adventurous eating.

Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Kid friendly, Mexican
Keyword 15 minute dinner, rice, weeknight dinner
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 5
Calories 480 kcal
Author Morgan

Ingredients

  • .5 red onion diced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 diced chicken breast see notes
  • 1 cup black beans
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 3 cups cooked and cooked rice
  • 2-3 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • .5 tsp cumin
  • .5 tsp chili powder
  • 1 lime
  • 1 small tomato diced
  • 2-3 tbs chopped cilantro optional

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoon of oil over the medium high heat. Add chicken and onion, and cook until chicken is cooked through and onion is translucent, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add garlic – cook until fragrant. 

  3. Stir in beans and corn. Cook until the corn defrosts and add seasonings. Continue stirring until everything is coated, and squeeze in half of the lime.

  4. If the mixture is sticking a lot, add the extra oil before stirring in the rice. 

  5. Stir and cook until everything is combined and heated through. 

  6. Add tomato and cilantro and salt and pepper is desired. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

-You can use any meat you’d like, or omit completely. Sometimes I make this with ground meat and call it ‘taco rice’ – just make sure to drain the oil before addind the beans and corn.

-Cilantro is optional, since it’s definitely a love it or hate it herb, but I believe cooking with herbs often helps introduce kids to more flavors and become more willing to try new things.

 

Nutrition Facts
Mexican Fried Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 480 Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 4.97g31%
Trans Fat 0.087g
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.6g
Monounsaturated Fat 7.96g
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 37mg2%
Potassium 1584mg45%
Carbohydrates 57.6g19%
Fiber 18g75%
Sugar 2.8g3%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 500IU10%
Vitamin C 3.3mg4%
Calcium 90mg9%
Iron 13.1mg73%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Okay, so tell me – what your kid’s favorite meal? What flavors would you love them to try out? Let me know in the comments!

You may also enjoy….

  • Egg Roll in a Bowl
  • Italian Fried Rice with al fresco Chicken Sausage
  • Pizza Chicken – a 4 ingredient, 15 minute dinner!

Filed Under: 30 minute meals, Dinner

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi! I’m Morgan!

Recent Posts

12 Winter Songs for Kids To Sing and Dance inside To!

7 Evening Activities for Kids to do as a Family

Peaches for Baby Led Weaning

10 Songs About Seasons for Kids to Explain Changing Seasons

Find a post

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Privacy

Privacy Policy

1088 shares