One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

A white pot with chicken chunks and rice in a cheese sauce with a wooden spoon.

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is made in just one pot and loaded with tons of flavor! Seasoned tender chicken pieces, white rice, and a semi-homemade queso sauce of Rotel tomatoes and nacho cheese sauce, this one pot meal is sure to become a family favorite! It's perfect for busy back-to-school weeknights!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword one pot chicken and rice with queso, one pot meals, queso chicken and rice

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 28

Total Time 33

Servings

Calories 431kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2 large chicken breasts)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2¼ cups chicken broth
1 can (15 oz) nacho cheese sauce
1 can (10 oz) Rotel
1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice

Instructions

Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces or strips (about 1 inch).
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan (with higher sides on it and a lid), over medium high heat, and add the chicken pieces along with the dried seasonings.
Cook the chicken, stirring frequently, until it's cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉.
^{* If excess liquid is in the pan from cooking the chicken, I recommend draining it from the pan.}
1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Stir in the chicken broth, nacho cheese sauce, and Rotel. Bring to a boil.
2¼ cups chicken broth, 1 can (15 oz) nacho cheese sauce, 1 can (10 oz) Rotel
Once boiling, stir in the uncooked rice.
1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Serve immediately with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo or chopped tomatoes, and sliced avocado.

Notes

Protein : Cook and crumble 1 pound of ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken instead of the chicken chunks. Be sure to drain the skillet pan of any excess grease or moisture from cooking the ground meat in it.

Make It Spicy! : This queso chicken and rice already has a slight kick to it, but if you want to make it even spicier then there are several things you can do. Try using a can of medium or hot Rotel. Add some cayenne pepper or chili powder in with the other dried seasonings. Add a can of diced green chiles or chopped jalapeños in with the broth and nacho cheese.

Beans : Add a can of black beans or pinto beans in with the nacho cheese sauce and chicken broth. Make sure the beans have been drained and rinsed prior to adding them to the pot.

Nutrition