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One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice : Easy Comfort Food Recipe

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice : Easy Comfort Food Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 13 reviews

This One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is a delicious and easy comfort food recipe combining tender chicken, flavorful spices, creamy nacho cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked rice all in one pot. It’s a hearty, cheesy dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, offering a tasty Tex-Mex twist with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Rice and Liquids

  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 2¼ cups chicken broth

Cheeses

  • 1 cup nacho cheese sauce (jarred or homemade)
  • 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Optional Toppings

  • Chopped cilantro
  • Sour cream
  • Diced avocado
  • Jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Chicken: In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, and season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sauté the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes until it is mostly cooked through and slightly golden.
  2. Add the Rice and Rotel: Stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice and the entire can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, including the juices. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the rice slightly and allow the flavors to blend.
  3. Pour in Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  4. Stir in the Queso: After the rice is cooked, stir in the nacho cheese sauce and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes creamy and the cheese melts evenly.
  5. Finish with Toppings: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese on top, cover the pot again, and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with optional toppings such as chopped cilantro, sour cream, diced avocado, and jalapeños, then serve warm.

Notes

  • For extra spice, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper during cooking.
  • Use homemade nacho cheese sauce for a fresher taste, or jarred is perfectly fine for convenience.
  • Feel free to substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make a vegetarian-friendly version with a meat substitute.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • To reduce fat, use a reduced-fat cheese or less oil when cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso chicken, one pot meal, chicken and rice, Tex-Mex, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy chicken, Rotel recipe

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/one-pot-queso-chicken-and-rice-easy-comfort-food-recipe/