One-Pot Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice Recipe
A comforting and flavorful one-pot dish combining tender chicken, cheesy rice, and Southwest-inspired ingredients like black beans, corn, and salsa, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic until they are softened and fragrant, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Add the diced chicken breasts to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the rinsed long-grain white rice, chicken broth, salsa, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, mixing everything together to combine evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Add Cheese: Remove the pot from heat, then stir in the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until they melt and are thoroughly combined, creating a creamy texture.
Notes
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce when adding spices.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels.
- Rinsing the rice helps remove excess starch and prevents it from becoming too sticky.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for more juiciness.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead.
Keywords: one pot, cheesy chicken, southwest chicken, chicken and rice, easy dinner, comfort food, quick meal
