Description
This One-Pan Mexican Chicken & Rice recipe offers a quick, flavorful meal combining tender seasoned chicken, creamy rice, and a cheesy Mexican twist, all cooked conveniently in a single skillet within 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- 1 Tbsp oil
Rice & Sauce
- 2 cups instant white rice
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup thin salsa
- 1 cup queso cheese dip
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
Toppings
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with the taco seasoning to ensure each piece is well-coated with flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned on the outside and no longer pink inside. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Rice Mixture: Into the same skillet, add the instant white rice, milk, and thin salsa. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Combine with Queso and Tomatoes: Stir in the queso cheese dip and the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
- Add Cheese and Chicken: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the rice mixture. Place the cooked chicken pieces on top, then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the chicken. Cover the skillet and cook just until the cheese melts, creating a delicious, gooey topping.
Notes
- Use instant white rice for quick cooking, but you can substitute with long grain white rice if you increase the simmering time accordingly.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- For extra flavor, garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions before serving.
- This dish can be served with a side of sour cream or guacamole for added creaminess.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute queso dip and Mexican cheese with dairy-free alternatives.
