Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Chop the onion, bell pepper, and mince the garlic.
In the rice cooker, add olive oil, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Select the 'cook' function and sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the rinsed rice, vegetable broth or water, black beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the rice cooker. Stir well to combine.
Close the lid and set the rice cooker to 'cook.' Once it's finished, let it sit for an additional 10 minutes before opening the lid.
Gently fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
Family-friendly, protein-rich, and budget-conscious.