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This Mexican-inspired chicken and rice dish creates restaurant-quality flavors in your own kitchen. The combination of tender chicken pieces and saffron-infused rice, all coated in creamy white queso sauce, delivers pure comfort food that's perfect for family dinners.
Classic Comfort Food Made Simple
This recipe transforms everyday ingredients into something truly special. The aromatic saffron rice forms a flavorful base for juicy chicken pieces, while the melted queso sauce brings everything together into a satisfying one-pot meal that's both impressive and easy to prepare.
Essential Ingredients
- Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into uniform pieces
- Rice: 10 ounce package yellow saffron rice
- Seasonings: 1 tomato bouillon cube, Goya adobo seasoning
- Sauce: 1/3 cup refrigerated white queso
- Liquids: 2.5 cups water, milk for finishing
Preparation Method
- Prepare the Chicken
- Cut chicken into even, bite-sized pieces and season thoroughly with adobo.
- Begin Cooking
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken until golden, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add Rice
- Combine rice, bouillon, water and milk with cooked chicken. Mix well.
- Cook Rice
- Reduce heat, cover tightly and simmer 20-25 minutes until rice is tender.
- Finish Dish
- Incorporate queso and additional milk until creamy.
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Professional Tips
For best results, cut chicken against the grain and maintain a tight-fitting lid while rice cooks. Serve additional warm queso on the side for customized portions.
Serving Suggestions
Serve immediately while hot, garnished generously with fresh cilantro. Accompany with a crisp green salad or warmed tortillas for a complete meal.
Recipe Variations
Substitute brown rice for a healthier option or add diced bell peppers for extra color and texture. Consider preparing homemade queso sauce for an elevated version of this versatile dish.
Storage Instructions
Store in airtight container for up to three days. When reheating, add milk and warm gradually for optimal texture.
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Budget-Friendly Benefits
This economical recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavors using affordable, readily available ingredients. Perfect for feeding larger groups without excessive cost.
A Memorable Meal
This dish consistently creates enjoyable dining experiences, ideal for both casual family dinners and special occasions. Its comforting flavors bring warmth to any gathering.
Selecting Quality Ingredients
Source fresh white queso from the refrigerated section near fresh tortillas for optimal results. The texture and melt quality surpass shelf-stable alternatives significantly.
Efficient Preparation
This single-pot preparation method ensures maximum flavor development while minimizing cleanup time. The cooking process allows ingredients to meld perfectly together.
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Wrapping Up
Enjoy a quick and delicious one-pan Mexican meal made with juicy chicken, vibrant yellow rice, and smooth queso. Perfect for those nights when you need something hearty but quick to prepare.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent the rice from being undercooked?
If there’s a steam hole in your pot lid, it might be letting too much heat escape. Cover it tightly with foil to keep all the steam in.
- → What kind of queso works best?
For the richest flavor, grab some fresh queso from the fridge section in the store instead of the shelf-stable kind.
- → Can I use a different type of rice?
This works best with Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice to keep the authentic taste, but you can try others if needed.
- → What’s the best way to slice the chicken?
To keep the chicken tender, slice it into small chunks against the grain of the meat.
- → Is this a good make-ahead meal?
This tastes best fresh, but if you have leftovers, note the rice’s texture might change when it’s reheated.
Chicken with Rice
A flavorful one-pan combo of chicken, yellow rice, and rich queso. Quick to make and super tasty.
Ingredients
Steps
Dry off the chicken with a paper towel and sprinkle on the adobo seasoning.
Sear the seasoned chicken in the skillet with oil until nicely browned. This takes about 6 minutes altogether.
Add the bouillon, water, and rice. Let it boil, then put the lid on and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
Mix in the queso and milk, then fluff the rice up with a fork for serving.
Notes
- Make sure to cover the hole on the lid to let the rice cook properly.
- Fresh queso from the fridge works better.
- Slice the chicken against the grain for best results.
Required Tools
- A large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid.
Allergy Information
Check each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
- Contains dairy.
Nutritional Facts (per serving)
These details are provided for informational purposes and aren't a substitute for medical advice.
- Calories: 369
- Fats: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Proteins: 34 g