Description
Queso chicken and rice delivers a comforting Mexican-inspired skillet meal packed with creamy cheese and tender chicken. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly for a quick dinner that satisfies you with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Grains and Liquids:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups (16 fluid ounces) chicken broth
- 1 cup jarred queso (or homemade queso)
Seasonings and Additions:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced green chiles (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a substantial cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, preparing a flavorful seasoning blend for the chicken using salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken into the heated pot, creating a golden-brown exterior by searing approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer browned chicken to a temporary holding plate.
- Introduce uncooked rice to the identical pot, gently toasting grains for 1-2 minutes to enhance their nutty essence and develop deeper flavor profiles.
- Incorporate chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and green chiles, allowing the liquid mixture to reach a gentle simmering state.
- Strategically nestle previously seared chicken pieces into the rice and liquid combination, ensuring even distribution. Cover and reduce heat, allowing ingredients to meld together for 18-20 minutes until rice becomes tender and chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (75C).
- After cooking, extract chicken from the pot and transform the rice mixture into a creamy delight by stirring in queso and shredded cheese until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Present the succulent chicken atop the luxurious cheese-infused rice, optionally embellishing with fresh cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize chicken seasoning by experimenting with different spice blends like Cajun or taco seasoning for varied flavor profiles.
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs for a more tender and juicy protein option that stays moist during cooking.
- Make the dish gluten-free by using certified gluten-free rice and checking that all seasoning blends are gluten-free certified.
- Use reduced-fat cheese or plant-based cheese alternatives to create a lighter version of this hearty one-pot meal for health-conscious eaters.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg