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Mexican chicken and rice with queso featuring golden seasoned rice topped with juicy chicken pieces, melted white cheese, and fresh cilantro.

One-Pot Creamy Mexican Chicken & Yellow Rice with White Queso


  • Author: Samantha Brooks
  • Total Time: 35–40 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x

Description

A vibrant, one-pot meal delivering authentic flavor with minimal cleanup. Saffron-infused yellow rice and adobo-seasoned chicken create a cantina-quality dinner, transformed into a rich, decadent comfort food with creamy white queso and a splash of milk.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (bite-size)
  • 1 (10 oz) pkg Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 3 oz white queso dip (refrigerated or jarred)
  • 2 tbsp milk, 1 tsp Goya Adobo Seasoning
  • 1 cube Knorr Tomato Bouillon (crushed; optional)
  • 2 tsp olive oil

Instructions

Season: Pat chicken dry and rub thoroughly with Adobo seasoning.

Sear: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium. Sear chicken for 3 mins without moving to get a golden crust, then turn and cook until just through.

Simmer: Stir in rice, bouillon, and water. Bring to a boil for one minute.

Steam: Reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover tightly (don’t peek!) and cook for 20–25 mins until rice is fluffy.

Creamy Finish: Remove from heat. Add queso dip and milk; gently fluff with a fork until well-combined and creamy.

Notes

The ‘No-Peek’ Rule: Trapping the steam is essential for rice hydration. If your lid is loose, place a sheet of foil over the pan before covering.

Sear for Flavor: That initial sear creates ‘fond’ on the bottom of the pan, which dissolves during the simmer to create a much deeper flavor profile.

Liquid Control: Ensure you use exactly 10oz of rice. If using a larger bag without measuring, the rice will end up crunchy and undercooked.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop / One-Pot
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 385
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 890
  • Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 34
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 36
  • Cholesterol: 95

Keywords: mexican chicken and rice, arroz con pollo, one pot mexican dinner, saffron yellow rice recipe, queso chicken and rice