Mexican Chicken and Rice with Queso
This dish combines juicy spiced chicken, fluffy Mexican rice, and a drizzle of light, creamy queso sauce.It’s a one-pan comfort meal that’s cheesy, satisfying, and still balanced — perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep bowl.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Juice of ½ lime
For the Rice:
1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
1 ¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
½ onion, finely diced
1 small bell pepper, chopped
½ cup corn kernels
½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
For the Light Queso Sauce:
¾ cup low-fat milk
1 tsp cornstarch
½ cup shredded light cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
2 tbsp Greek yogurt
Pinch of salt
Optional: pinch of chili flakes or smoked paprika
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken
In a bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
Add chicken and toss to coat.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 6–8 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Remove and set aside.
2. Make the Rice
In the same skillet, add olive oil and saute onion, garlic, and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes.
Add rice and toast lightly for 1–2 minutes.
Stir in tomato sauce, chicken broth, corn, beans, and salt.
Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, until rice is tender and fluffy.
Fluff with a fork.
3. Make the Light Queso Sauce
In a small pot, whisk milk and cornstarch until smooth.
Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken (2–3 minutes).
Add cheese, whisking until melted and smooth.
Stir in Greek yogurt and a pinch of salt.
Keep warm (add a splash of milk if it thickens too much).
4. Combine and Serve
Spoon the rice into bowls or plates.
Top with cooked chicken.
Drizzle generously with the warm queso sauce.
Garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or chopped tomatoes.
Tips & Variations
Add sauteed jalapenos or avocado slices for a spicy-creamy contrast.
For a Mediterranean twist, replace queso with garlic yogurt sauce or feta cream.
Use cauliflower rice to make it lower-carb.
This makes a great meal prep bowl — store components separately and assemble before eating.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~460 kcal
Protein: 36g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fat: 16g
Fiber: 5g