Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful meal combining tender chicken, nacho cheese sauce, Rotel tomatoes, and perfectly cooked rice all in one skillet. It’s a quick and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights, offering a delicious Tex-Mex inspired dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2 large chicken breasts), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Queso Mixture and Rice
- 2¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) nacho cheese sauce
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
- 1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or strips, approximately 1 inch in size, to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan with high sides and a lid over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces along with garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken, stirring frequently until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Drain any excess liquid from the pan if necessary.
- Add Liquids and Heat: Stir in the chicken broth, nacho cheese sauce, and Rotel tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil to combine all flavors thoroughly.
- Cook the Rice: Once boiling, stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Serve: Serve immediately with optional taco toppings such as sour cream, pico de gallo, chopped tomatoes, or sliced avocado for extra flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Protein Variation: Substitute ground beef, turkey, or chicken for the chicken breast. Be sure to cook thoroughly and drain excess grease before adding liquids.
- Make It Spicy: Use hot or medium Rotel, add cayenne pepper, chili powder, diced green chiles, or jalapeños for additional heat.
- Add Beans: Incorporate drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans with the broth and cheese sauce for extra protein and fiber.
Keywords: one pot chicken and rice, queso chicken, easy queso recipe, Tex-Mex chicken, cheesy chicken and rice, quick dinner, skillet recipes
