This One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is a cheesy, creamy, and ultra-satisfying Tex-Mex inspired dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, flavorful taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and melty queso, all cooked together in a single pot for easy cleanup. It’s quick, hearty, and guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 cup long-grain white rice

• 1 cup queso cheese (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)

• 1½ cups chicken broth

• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

• Optional add-ins:

  • ½ cup corn

  • ½ cup black beans

  • ½ cup diced bell peppers

Directions

1. Prep Ingredients:
   Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and measure out all other ingredients.

2. Season and Brown the Chicken:
   Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sprinkle with half of the taco seasoning. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown (no need to cook fully yet).

3. Toast the Rice:
   Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and add the rice to the other side. Toast the rice for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

4. Add Liquids and Seasonings:
   Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained), chicken broth, and the remaining taco seasoning. Stir everything together.

5. Simmer Until Rice is Tender:
   Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).

6. Add the Queso:
   Remove from heat. Stir in the queso cheese until it melts and blends well into the dish.

7. Garnish and Serve:
   Top with your favorite garnishes like chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or sour cream. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 475 kcal

• Protein: 30–35g

• Fat: 20–25g

  • Saturated Fat: ~10g

  • Unsaturated Fat: ~9g

• Carbohydrates: 40–45g

  • Fiber: ~3g

  • Sugar: ~3–4g

• Cholesterol: ~90mg

• Sodium: ~750–800mg

• Potassium: ~550mg

• Calcium: ~15% DV

• Iron: ~20% DV

• Vitamin A: ~15% DV

• Vitamin C: ~10% DV

Why You’ll Love One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

First and foremost, it’s a one-pot meal. That means minimal cleanup, fewer dishes, and maximum flavor. Cooking everything in one pot allows the rice to absorb all the delicious flavors from the seasoned chicken, broth, and tomatoes, creating a depth of taste that would normally take hours to develop.

The queso cheese brings irresistible creaminess, making every bite rich, gooey, and indulgent. It transforms the dish from a simple chicken and rice meal into a cheesy masterpiece that’s sure to make everyone reach for seconds.

Versatility is another major plus. You can easily customize this dish based on what you have on hand. Add corn, black beans, or bell peppers for extra nutrition and texture. Spice lovers can toss in jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick. No matter how you tweak it, the core flavors remain absolutely crave-worthy.

Health Benefits of One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

While it leans toward the indulgent side, One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice can still be part of a balanced diet. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, essential for muscle maintenance and repair. The rice provides necessary carbohydrates for energy, and if you choose to add black beans or vegetables like bell peppers and corn, you’ll boost the fiber, vitamin, and mineral content of the dish.

Tomatoes are a powerhouse of antioxidants, especially lycopene, which supports heart health. Using a modest amount of queso and balancing it with other wholesome ingredients helps ensure that you enjoy a rich meal without going overboard on calories or fat.

If you want an even lighter version, you can opt for a reduced-fat queso or use less cheese overall while still maintaining that satisfying creamy texture.

Customizing Your One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

The flexibility of this dish makes it perfect for any home cook. You can use chicken thighs for a juicier, richer flavor, or stick with chicken breasts for a leaner option. Swap white rice for brown rice if you want more fiber, but remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly since brown rice takes longer to cook.

Feel free to mix in your favorite add-ins to make the dish even heartier or to stretch it further. Corn kernels add a sweet pop, black beans introduce a creamy earthiness, and diced bell peppers offer a crunchy, colorful touch. If you like things spicy, stirring in chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce will elevate the heat level.

For toppings, the sky’s the limit. Fresh cilantro, avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, or shredded lettuce can all add freshness and balance the richness of the queso.

You can also make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Simply load up on beans, corn, and bell peppers to keep it hearty and satisfying.

Perfect for Busy Weeknights and Meal Prep

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is designed for busy nights when time is limited but you still want a homemade meal. From start to finish, it takes around 30–40 minutes, and everything cooks together in a single pot, saving you tons of cleanup time.

It’s also a fantastic meal prep recipe. After cooking, divide it into individual containers and refrigerate for up to four days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave, making it a convenient grab-and-go lunch or an easy reheat-and-eat dinner option.

If you are meal prepping, consider keeping some fresh garnishes on the side to add right before serving. This keeps the dish feeling fresh and flavorful even a few days later.

Serving Suggestions

While One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is perfectly complete on its own, you can pair it with a few simple sides to round out your meal. A fresh green salad with a lime vinaigrette would add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish.

Tortilla chips on the side would be a fun addition, perfect for scooping up cheesy rice. You could also serve it with a side of roasted vegetables like zucchini, corn on the cob, or sautéed peppers for an even more colorful plate.

If you’re hosting a casual dinner gathering, serve it buffet-style with bowls of toppings like sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and shredded cheese so everyone can customize their bowl.

Tips for Making the Best One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

Use good-quality queso cheese. Whether you opt for store-bought or homemade, a rich, flavorful queso will elevate the entire dish.

Toast the rice briefly before adding the liquids. This simple step adds a subtle nutty flavor and improves the final texture of the dish.

Don’t rush the simmering process. Cooking the rice gently ensures it becomes fluffy and absorbs all the wonderful flavors in the pot.

Add extra broth if needed. If you find that the rice is not fully tender or the dish looks a bit dry before the rice finishes cooking, just add a splash more broth and continue simmering.

Taste and adjust the seasoning at the end. Depending on the brand of taco seasoning and queso you use, you may want a pinch more salt or spice to perfectly balance the flavors.

Nutritional Value Overview

Each serving of One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice comes in at about 475 calories, making it a hearty and satisfying meal without going overboard. It offers between 30–35 grams of protein, crucial for muscle repair and maintenance. The fat content ranges between 20–25 grams, largely from the queso and optional toppings, while carbohydrates come in around 40–45 grams, providing lasting energy.

You’ll also get beneficial micronutrients like calcium for bone health, iron for energy metabolism, and potassium for heart function. The dish also provides a moderate amount of fiber, especially if you add black beans or vegetables, helping to support digestive health.

Conclusion

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is everything a busy home cook dreams of—easy, flavorful, hearty, and cooked in just one pot. It’s a dish that checks every box: cheesy, creamy, filling, and comforting, with Tex-Mex flavors that are beloved by kids and adults alike.

This recipe is flexible enough to adapt based on what’s in your pantry and fridge, meaning you can always customize it to suit your mood or dietary needs. It also lends itself beautifully to meal prepping and reheating, making your weekday lunches and dinners a breeze.

In a world full of complicated recipes and endless dishes to wash, One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice stands out as a reminder that truly satisfying food doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be cheesy, hearty, and made with love. Try it once, and you’ll find yourself craving it again and again.