Easy One Pot Queso Chicken And Rice Recipe
This easy one-pot queso chicken and rice recipe combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy, cheesy queso sauce for a comforting meal. It’s a perfect quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup, all made in one pot!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup jarred queso (or homemade queso)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced green chiles (optional)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Add the chicken to the pot and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and green chiles (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Return the seared chicken breasts to the pot, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover and cook on low heat for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once the chicken and rice are cooked, remove the chicken and stir in the queso and shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve the chicken on top of the cheesy rice mixture, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- For extra spice, add jalapeños or hot salsa to the rice mixture.
- You can swap the jarred queso for a homemade version if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg