Easy Cheesy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe

Whipping up a delightful one pot queso chicken and rice dish promises pure comfort on busy weeknights.

Creamy cheese and tender chicken combine in a single skillet for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Weeknight dinners demand simplicity, and this recipe delivers without compromising taste.

Melted queso blankets perfectly cooked chicken and fluffy rice in a magical blend of textures.

Spices add a gentle kick that makes every bite exciting and memorable.

You’ll want to savor each delicious spoonful of this incredibly easy meal.

Why You’ll Want Easy One Pot Queso Chicken Rice

• Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Perfect for game day, parties, or family gatherings, these meatballs deliver a burst of sweet and tangy flavor that everyone will love.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: Mix ingredients, shape meatballs, and bake in minutes, making this recipe ideal for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Dish: Serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer during social events or transform into a hearty main course by pairing with rice, creating a flexible meal that adapts to different dining needs.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of savory meatballs with sweet pineapple and zesty BBQ sauce creates a mouthwatering blend that tingles taste buds and keeps everyone coming back for more.

One Pot Queso Chicken Rice Ingredient Essentials

• Chicken Breast: A lean protein that provides a hearty base for the one-pot meal and absorbs the rich flavors of the seasonings.

• Rice: A fluffy and filling grain that serves as the foundation of the dish and soaks up the delicious cooking liquids.
• Chicken Broth: A flavorful liquid that helps cook the rice and infuses the entire dish with savory depth.
• Diced Tomatoes: A juicy ingredient that adds moisture and a slight tanginess to the overall recipe.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural taste of the chicken and balance the overall flavor profile.
• Chili Powder: A spice that provides a warm, slightly spicy kick to the dish.
• Cumin: A robust spice that adds an earthy and slightly smoky undertone to the recipe.
• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps brown the chicken and prevents sticking to the pan.
• Queso Cheese Dip: A creamy and rich topping that melts into the rice and chicken, creating a luxurious texture.

• Fresh Cilantro: A bright and aromatic herb that adds a fresh, herbal note and visual appeal to the finished dish.

How to Make One Pot Queso Chicken Rice

Step 1: Warm Up The Skillet

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating a sizzling cooking surface ready for delicious ingredients.

Step 2: Brown The Chicken

Drop diced chicken breast into the hot skillet, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cook until each piece develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior, ensuring rich flavor and perfect texture.

Step 3: Build The Flavor Base

• Uncooked rice
• Chicken broth
• Diced tomatoes
• Chili powder
• Cumin

Stir everything together, creating a harmonious blend of spices and liquids.

Step 4: Simmer And Cook

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat. Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently.

Allow the rice to absorb all the delicious flavors for 15-20 minutes until it becomes perfectly tender.

Step 5: Melt In The Cheesy Goodness

Once rice is fully cooked, pour in the queso cheese dip.

Stir thoroughly until the cheese creates a creamy, luxurious coating over the chicken and rice.

Step 6: Finish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a bright, herbal finish.

Serve the one-pot wonder piping hot, ready to delight hungry guests with its comforting, cheesy goodness.

Pro Notes for One Pot Queso Chicken Rice Success

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure quick and even cooking throughout the dish.
• Choose a high-quality queso cheese dip for maximum flavor and creamy texture in the final result.
• Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping during preparation.
• Consider adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños for extra crunch and spice if you want more depth of flavor.
• Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt levels and allow the other seasonings to shine through.

Flavor Tweaks for One Pot Queso Chicken Rice

• Southwestern Fiesta: Add black beans, corn, and jalapeños for a zesty, colorful Mexican-inspired variation.
• Creamy Green Chile: Replace queso with green chile cream sauce and sprinkle with pepper jack cheese for a tangy kick.
• Spicy Chorizo Boost: Swap chicken for spicy chorizo sausage and add smoked paprika for deeper flavor complexity.
• Mediterranean Remix: Use orzo instead of rice, mix in feta cheese, and add diced kalamata olives for a Greek-style transformation.

Serving Up One Pot Queso Chicken Rice Best

• Fiesta Family Feast: Serve this queso chicken and rice in colorful ceramic bowls to highlight the vibrant colors and textures. Top with extra shredded cheese and jalapeño slices for added zest.
• Burrito Bowl Transformation: Pour the queso chicken mixture over a bed of crisp lettuce, add diced avocado, and create a low-carb, high-flavor burrito bowl that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
• Tex-Mex Stuffed Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with the queso chicken and rice mixture. Bake until peppers are tender and top with additional melted cheese for a hearty, nutritious meal variation.

How to Save One Pot Queso Chicken Rice Leftovers

• Transfer leftover queso chicken and rice to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Portion the cooled dish into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw refrigerated or frozen portions in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir occasionally and heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of cheese instead of queso?

Yes, you can substitute queso with shredded cheddar, monterey jack, or pepper jack cheese for similar creamy results.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has mild spice from chili powder and cumin. If you want more heat, add diced jalapeños or use a spicy queso cheese dip.

• Can I make this recipe with brown rice?

Brown rice works, but you’ll need to increase the cooking liquid and cooking time by about 10-15 minutes to ensure the rice becomes tender.

• What if I don't have chicken broth?

You can replace chicken broth with water, but the flavor will be less rich. For best results, use water and add extra seasonings like garlic powder or chicken bouillon.

Easy One Pot Queso Chicken And Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty queso chicken and rice delivers comfort in a single skillet with Mexican-inspired flavors. Rich cheese sauce and tender chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup (240 ml) queso cheese dip
• 1 cup (240 ml) white rice, uncooked
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• 1 can (10 oz / 280 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) cumin
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Introduce seasoned chicken pieces, sautéing until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Incorporate uncooked rice, fragrant spices, diced tomatoes, and rich chicken broth into the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
4. Elevate heat to create a robust boil, then immediately reduce to low, covering the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and allowing the mixture to gently simmer for 18-22 minutes.
5. Verify rice’s tenderness by testing a small grain; once perfectly cooked, remove from heat and fold in creamy queso cheese dip until smoothly integrated.
6. Allow the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
7. Finish by scattering freshly chopped cilantro across the surface, creating a vibrant garnish that adds a burst of herbal freshness.
8. Serve immediately while piping hot, directly from the skillet for a rustic, inviting presentation.

Notes

• Select chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
• Rinse rice beforehand to remove excess starch, helping achieve fluffy and separate grains in the final dish.
• Swap regular rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
• Add extra heat by incorporating diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce during the cooking process for spice lovers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg