Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position a rack in the center. Lightly grease your 9×13-inch baking dish with a drizzle of oil or nonstick spray and set it aside. Rinse the jasmine rice under cold running water for about 30 seconds — this removes excess starch and gives you fluffier, non-gummy rice.

Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4–5 minutes until softened and just beginning to turn golden at the edges. Add the garlic and jalapeño (if using) and cook for another 60 seconds — your kitchen should smell absolutely incredible at this point. Stir in the cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper; let the spices bloom in the pan for 30 seconds. This step is what gives the rice its deep, fragrant backbone.

Toast the Rice: Add the rinsed, drained rice directly to the skillet. Stir it into the spiced onion mixture and let it toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the grains turn slightly opaque and start to smell nutty. Toasting the rice before baking creates a subtle, earthy depth that you just can’t skip.

Build the Bake: Transfer the toasted rice mixture to your prepared baking dish. Pour in the vegetable broth, salsa verde, and lime juice, then add the chickpeas, black beans, corn, and green chiles. Give everything a good stir so the rice is evenly distributed and the liquid covers it. Taste the liquid — it should be well-seasoned; add a pinch of salt if needed.

Seal and Bake: Cover the baking dish very tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil — press the edges down firmly around the rim to trap steam inside. This is the key to perfectly cooked rice: that sealed environment turns the dish into its own little pressure cooker. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Rest and Fluff: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it sit, still covered, for 5 minutes — don’t skip this! That resting time lets the residual steam finish cooking any remaining firm grains. Carefully peel back the foil (watch out for that burst of steam) and fluff the rice with a fork, mixing everything together from the bottom up.

Garnish and Serve:

Taste once more and adjust seasoning. Spoon into bowls or serve directly from the dish, topped with sliced avocado, a generous handful of fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of dairy-free sour cream if you like. Serve immediately while the rice is hot and fragrant.