Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Name: Cheesy Chicken and Rice (Mexican-Style)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced; 2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked; 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce; 3 cups water; 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning; 1/2 cup queso dip, warmed

Cheesy Chicken and Rice is a simplified take on Arroz con Pollo that combines seasoned shredded chicken, fluffy tomato-based rice, and warm queso dip in one skillet. It delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

🌍Mexican 🏷️Cheesy chicken and rice 🏷️Arroz con pollo 🏷️Acp 🏷️Chicken Rice

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🏷️Queso

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
3 cups water
1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup queso dip, warmedoptional

10 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a medium pot, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
2
Add the uncooked rice to the pot and stir to coat in the oil. Toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3
Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and chicken bouillon powder. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is fluffy. Cook according to your rice package instructions.
5
While the rice is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat.
6
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet and sprinkle with the entire packet of taco seasoning.
7
Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, or until it's fully cooked through and browned.
8
To serve, place a generous portion of the cooked rice on a plate.
9
Top the rice with the seasoned chicken.
10
Drizzle with warmed queso dip and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Toast the rice in oil and onion for 2–3 minutes before adding liquid; this prevents mushiness and builds nutty depth.
Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the dish.
Warm the queso dip separately while the rice cooks, then stir it in off-heat to prevent clumping and keep the texture creamy.
Avoid lifting the skillet lid while rice simmers; each peek lets steam escape and extends cooking time.

Substitutions

Long-grain white rice → jasmine or basmati (rice will be slightly fluffier and more fragrant)
Tomato sauce → salsa (use mild or medium; reduces need for extra seasoning)
Queso dip → shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese melted with a splash of heavy cream (yields a more rustic texture)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to restore creaminess.