Description
Fiesta flavors dance through this cheesy chicken rice dish, bringing Mexico’s culinary spirit to your dinner table. Zesty seasonings and melted cheese create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2–3 thighs)
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can (11 ounces/312 grams) mexicorn, drained
- 1 can (10 ounces/283 grams) Rotel
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Base and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
Instructions
- Dice chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, then introduce chicken and onion, sautéing until poultry turns golden and onions become translucent.
- Infuse the mixture with minced garlic and robust taco seasoning, stirring briefly to awaken the aromatic flavors.
- Pour in chicken broth, black beans, mexicorn, Rotel, and tomato paste, creating a vibrant and hearty base for the fiesta rice.
- Bring the liquid to a vigorous boil, then gently fold in uncooked rice, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet, and allow the rice to absorb the flavorful liquid and become perfectly tender.
- Once rice reaches desired consistency, generously crown the dish with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, covering the skillet to help the cheese melt into a creamy, luxurious topping.
- Let the cheese form a smooth, inviting layer before serving, creating a rich and comforting final presentation.
Notes
- Prep chicken into uniform 1-inch chunks for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Sauté chicken and onions until golden and mostly cooked to develop deep, rich flavor profiles.
- Layer spices and seasonings during cooking to build complex, robust taste dimensions.
- Use liquid ingredients strategically to create a perfectly moist and flavorful one-pan meal.
- Choose Monterey Jack cheese for its creamy melting quality that blends seamlessly with Mexican-inspired ingredients.
- Quick cooking method ensures tender rice and juicy chicken in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg