If you’re craving a comforting meal that delivers bold flavor with minimal fuss, this Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It combines tender chicken, creamy queso, and perfectly cooked rice all in one pan, making dinner time a breeze without sacrificing any of that cozy, cheesy goodness you love. It’s the kind of dish that feels homemade and hearty, yet comes together faster than you’d expect, perfect for weeknights or anytime you want a satisfying meal without the mess.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients keep things delightfully simple but each plays an essential role in creating the rich, creamy, and flavorful profile of this dish. From spices that add warmth to the melty cheeses that bring creamy charm, every component is important.
- Olive oil: The base for sautéing chicken, bringing subtle fruitiness and preventing sticking.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Tender, easy to cook, and perfectly plated in bite-sized pieces.
- Chili powder: Adds a gentle kick and smoky depth.
- Cumin: Warms the dish with earthy notes that complement the queso beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Provides an aromatic backbone without overpowering the other flavors.
- Onion powder: Enhances savory complexity, giving the dish a balanced flavor.
- Uncooked long-grain rice: Absorbs all those rich liquids and becomes tender and fluffy.
- Chicken broth: The flavorful cooking liquid that infuses the rice and chicken.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies: Brings a zesty brightness and subtle heat for complexity.
- Queso dip: The creamy, cheesy hero that binds it all together with smooth richness.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, melty topping to elevate every bite.
- Salt and pepper: The simple essentials for seasoning perfectly.
- Optional toppings (cilantro, avocado, lime wedges): Fresh accents that brighten and refresh the dish at serving.
How to Make Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken with Spices
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your chicken pieces with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then add them to the pan. Cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes until nicely browned creates a flavorful foundation and locks in juices. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside for now.
Step 2: Toast the Rice
Using the same skillet, add the uncooked rice and toast it for 1 to 2 minutes. This step might feel small but it deepens the rice’s flavor and keeps each grain firm and separate in the finished dish.
Step 3: Combine with Broth, Tomatoes, and Chicken
Pour in the chicken broth and add the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, then stir in your browned chicken. This is where all the flavors come together, the broth bringing moisture and seasoning, while the tomatoes add a touch of acidity and heat that balances the creaminess ahead.
Step 4: Simmer Until Rice is Tender
Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 18 to 20 minutes. The rice absorbs all that flavorful liquid and becomes tender, creating a perfect texture to soak up the queso sauce. Remember to stir occasionally for even cooking.
Step 5: Stir in the Queso and Cheese
Once the rice is cooked, mix in the queso dip along with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. This transformation turns the dish gorgeously creamy and cheesy, enveloping every piece of chicken and grain of rice in velvety goodness.
Step 6: Melt More Cheese on Top and Garnish
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, cover the pan once again, and let it melt for 2 to 3 minutes. Finish by garnishing with your choice of fresh cilantro, diced avocado, or lime wedges for those vibrant flavors and textures that truly make the dish sing.
How to Serve Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped cilantro adds a fresh herbaceous note, while diced avocado contributes creamy, buttery richness. A squeeze of lime juice brightens every bite and cuts through the richness, making each forkful perfectly balanced.
Side Dishes
This hearty recipe stands well on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or simple roasted vegetables adds color and nutritional balance. You can also serve it with warm tortillas for a fun, hands-on dining experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the queso chicken and rice in colorful bowls or straight from the skillet family-style to keep things cozy and casual. For a fiesta vibe, offer toppings bar style so everyone can dress their dish with olives, jalapeños, or even a dollop of sour cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors develop even more, making delicious lunches or quick dinners later in the week.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers in portioned airtight containers for up to 2 months. Make sure the dish is fully cooled before freezing, and consider leaving out avocado toppings which don’t freeze well.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the rice and keep it creamy. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and bring back that melty cheese texture.
FAQs
Can I use another type of cheese instead of cheddar?
Absolutely! Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend works wonderfully and will still deliver creamy, cheesy results with a slightly different flavor profile.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, swap the chicken for diced mushrooms or plant-based chicken alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a delicious vegetarian version.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
This recipe tastes best fresh but you can prep the chicken and even toast the rice ahead of time. Then just combine and cook the last steps when ready to serve.
What if I don’t have queso dip on hand?
You can make a quick queso by melting Velveeta with a splash of milk and some diced tomatoes or use a creamy cheese sauce as a substitute.
How spicy is this dish?
The recipe has mild heat from the chili powder and green chilies in the tomatoes, but you can adjust the spice level by using mild or hot diced tomatoes or adding extra chili powder or hot sauce if you like it spicier.
Final Thoughts
This Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe is a total game changer for busy nights when you want something comforting, flavorful, and fuss-free. It’s cheesy, hearty, and insanely satisfying, proving that simple ingredients cooked with love can create magic in a single pan. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a staple in your rotation!
Print
Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and creamy dish combining tender chicken, seasoned rice, and cheesy queso dip. Perfect for a quick and comforting weeknight meal, this recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together entirely in one skillet.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
- 1 cup queso dip (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare and Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season bite-sized chicken pieces with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Toast the Rice: In the same skillet, add the uncooked long-grain rice. Toast it for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat and slightly brown the grains for enhanced flavor.
- Add Liquids and Chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir all ingredients well to combine.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the queso dip along with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until everything is melted and creamy, creating a rich, cheesy texture throughout the dish.
- Melt Topping Cheese and Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the mixture. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with optional chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and lime wedges for added freshness and flavor. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs if preferred for a juicier texture.
- Use homemade queso dip for a fresher taste or your favorite store-bought version for convenience.
- Adjust the spices according to your heat preference; add more chili powder or jalapeños for extra spice.
- Make sure to cover the skillet during simmering to ensure rice cooks evenly and absorbs all flavors.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
