Begin by heating the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the oil to warm up until it is shimmering slightly.

Once the oil is heated, add the rice to the saucepan. Stirring frequently, sauté the rice until it turns semi-transparent and starts to lightly toast. This step helps to enhance the flavor and texture of the rice.

Pour the chicken broth into the saucepan with the sautéed rice. Stir well to ensure that the rice is fully coated with the broth. Next, add the garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, sazon, and paprika to the rice and broth mixture. Stir again to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the rice.

Cover the saucepan with a lid and allow the rice to cook over medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. During this time, the rice will absorb the liquid and cook until it becomes tender and fluffy.

After 20 minutes of cooking, remove the lid from the saucepan and add the frozen peas and chopped carrots to the rice. Stir the vegetables into the rice mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed.

Continue to cook the rice and vegetables, uncovered, for an additional 5 minutes or until the rice reaches the desired level of doneness. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Taste the rice and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add salt to taste and adjust any other seasonings according to your preference.

Once the rice is cooked to your liking, remove the saucepan from the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and mix in the chopped scallions for added freshness and flavor.

Your homemade Pollo Tropical-inspired rice is now ready to be served as a delightful side dish alongside your favorite meals!