Description
This One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is a delicious and comforting Mexican-inspired main course that combines tender chicken, creamy queso, and flavorful spices all cooked together in a single pot for an easy, cheesy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup jarred queso dip (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Dry Goods & Spices
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned and no longer pink in the center, about 5 to 6 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, and cook for an additional 30 seconds to toast the spices and release their flavors.
- Cook the Rice: Add the uncooked long grain white rice to the pot and stir well to coat the grains with the spices and oil. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies and chicken broth, then return the browned chicken pieces back to the pot.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add the Queso: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the jarred queso dip until the mixture becomes creamy and evenly combined.
- Melt the Cheese: Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top. Cover the pot again and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if using and serve the dish with lime wedges on the side for a fresh, tangy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the queso dip with Velveeta cheese or any other melty cheese mixed with a splash of milk for creaminess.
- Add black beans or corn while cooking for extra texture and flavor.
- For a spicier version, use hot diced green chilies or spicy queso dip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
