Description
This hearty Chicken Cheese and Rice recipe combines tender, spiced chicken breast with creamy queso cheese and flavorful rice cooked in a savory tomato and chicken broth base. Enhanced with a blend of spices and fresh cilantro, this one-pot dish is satisfying and perfect for a quick and delicious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried cilantro
- 1 tsp chili powder
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
- 1/2 cup white queso cheese dip
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Dice the chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces to ensure quick, even cooking and easy eating.
- Cook the chicken with spices: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, dried cilantro, and chili powder. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is almost fully cooked but still tender.
- Toast the rice: Push the chicken to one side of the skillet. Add olive oil to the cleared space and then add the rinsed rice. Toast the rice in the skillet for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Add garlic and liquids: Stir minced garlic into the rice. Then add the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Mix everything well to combine the flavors evenly.
- Simmer the rice and chicken: Once the mixture starts bubbling, cover the skillet with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Incorporate the queso cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in the white queso cheese dip until it is fully melted and the dish becomes creamy.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top for a fresh finish, and serve the dish warm for an inviting, comforting meal.
Notes
- Rinse the rice well before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent it from becoming too sticky.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper and chili powder according to your spice preference.
- If white queso cheese dip is unavailable, substitute with a creamy mild melting cheese such as Monterey Jack or a cream cheese blend.
- Make sure to keep the heat low during simmering to avoid burning the rice at the bottom.
