One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice: Easy Comfort Food
Enjoy a delightful meal with this One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice, a creamy, comforting dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner or cozy family gathering. This easy recipe combines tender chicken pieces, flavorful spices, and a rich queso sauce, all cooked together in one pot for an effortless clean-up. With the addition of customizable toppings like fresh cilantro or diced avocado, this dish caters to diverse taste preferences and is sure to satisfy both kids and adults alike. In just 50 minutes, you can serve up a hearty meal that brings everyone to the table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 2¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup nacho cheese sauce
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Jalapeños
Instructions
- In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, season with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until chicken is mostly cooked through.
- Stir in the uncooked rice and the entire can of Rotel (including juices). Cook for 1–2 minutes to toast the rice slightly and allow flavors to mingle.
- Add chicken broth; bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until rice is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, stir in nacho cheese sauce and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Mix until melted and creamy.
- Turn off the heat. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, cover the pot, and let it sit for 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Garnish as desired and serve warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg