Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice Recipe
This Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice is a one-pan, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast with zesty Rotel tomatoes, aromatic spices, and creamy melted Colby Jack cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s topped with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and Southwest Ranch sauce for an extra burst of southwestern flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried cilantro
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
Rice and Sauce
- 10 oz can of Rotel (not drained)
- 8 oz can of tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked and rinsed
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Sour cream, for serving
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Buffalo Wild Wings Southwest Ranch sauce, for serving
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast along with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and lightly browned.
- Add Sauce and Rice: To the skillet, add the can of Rotel (with juices), tomato sauce, chicken broth, and rinsed uncooked rice. Stir everything well to combine. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Simmer: Cook the mixture for about 15-20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top of the cooked rice and chicken. Allow it to melt in the skillet over low heat or place the skillet briefly under the oven broiler to melt the cheese evenly and create a slightly golden topping.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the cheesy chicken taco rice topped with dollops of sour cream, fresh cilantro leaves, and drizzles of Southwest Ranch sauce. Accompany with tortilla chips for a crunchy contrast. Enjoy your flavorful and comforting meal!
Notes
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese if preferred.
- Use fresh cilantro for garnish to add a fresh burst of flavor.
- Adjust chili powder and cumin amounts to suit your spice preference.
- If you don’t have Southwest Ranch sauce, regular ranch or a squeeze of lime juice works well too.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the stove and skillet used, so check rice doneness before serving.
Keywords: cheesy chicken taco rice, one pan dinner, easy chicken recipes, Tex-Mex rice, quick weeknight meals, southwest flavors
Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/cheesy-chicken-taco-rice-recipe/
