Name: One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 33 min
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2 large chicken breasts); 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 2¼ cups chicken broth; 1 can (15 oz) nacho cheese sauce; 1 can (10 oz) Rotel; 1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice

Craving comfort food with a kick? This One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice brings together juicy bites of chicken, ultra-creamy queso, zesty Rotel tomatoes, and hearty rice—all cooked together in just one pan. It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights and guaranteed to have everyone swooning with the first cheesy, Southwestern-inspired bite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All in One Pan: Every element of this dish cooks together, which keeps cleanup blissfully minimal and makes it perfect for busy nights.
Ultra-Creamy Queso Flavor: The combination of nacho cheese and Rotel infuses the rice and chicken with irresistible Tex-Mex flair.
Family-Pleasing Comfort: This is the kind of hearty, cheesy comfort food that gets even picky eaters excited for dinner.
Completely Customizable: Add your favorite toppings or swap in ingredients to suit your crew—One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice plays well with everyone’s preferences!

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how just a handful of well-chosen ingredients come together to make One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice so satisfying! Every component serves a purpose—giving this meal its signature velvety texture, bold flavors, and gorgeous color.

Boneless, skinless chicken breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces so it stays tender and cooks quickly, absorbing all those delicious flavors.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Helps brown the chicken and infuses the dish with a mellow richness.
Garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin: These pantry-friendly seasonings add warmth and depth, echoing classic queso notes.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Rounded flavor essentials to highlight everything else.
Chicken broth: Gives the rice an extra punch of savory goodness, making every bite more flavorful than if cooked in water alone.
Nacho cheese sauce: The secret behind that over-the-top creamy, golden queso! It melts straight into the rice.
Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies): Adds tang, a hint of heat, and those irresistible little bursts of tomato.
Long-grain white rice (uncooked): Absorbs all the bold flavors and cooks up fluffy and tender in the same pan as everything else.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is just how easy it is to make your own. With a few swaps or simple add-ins, it’s a breeze to tailor this meal for spice lovers, veggie fans, or to use whatever is already in your kitchen.

Spice It Up: Add extra diced green chiles or a dash of chipotle powder for even more heat.
Veggie Packed: Stir in frozen corn, black beans, or bell peppers for color and texture.
Different Proteins: Swap the chicken for ground turkey, leftover rotisserie chicken, or even cooked shrimp at the very end.
Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based queso or cheese alternative and make sure your broth is dairy-free.

How to Make One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

Step 1: Prep and Sauté the Chicken

Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into even, bite-sized pieces—about one inch is perfect. Heating olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan (with higher sides and a lid) over medium-high ensures every piece gets that beautiful golden color. Toss in the chicken along with all those dried spices; the aroma is incredible as it cooks! Stir often until the chicken is cooked through—juicy, not dry.

Step 2: Add Broth, Cheese Sauce, and Rotel

If you notice a lot of extra liquid after cooking the chicken, take a moment to drain it so your final dish won’t be watery. Pour in the chicken broth, nacho cheese sauce, and the entire can of Rotel (yes, juice and all!), then bring everything up to a gentle boil. The mixture gets bubbly, creamy, and oh-so-inviting in seconds!

Step 3: Cook the Rice

Once everything’s bubbling, it’s time to add the uncooked long-grain white rice. Give it a good stir, reduce the heat to medium-low, and pop the lid on your pan. Let it cook for 20–25 minutes or until the rice is fluffy and the liquid has been absorbed. You’ll know it’s ready when the kitchen smells like queso heaven.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Now the best part—fluff the rice, dish it up hot, and add your favorite taco toppings. Think sour cream, fresh pico de gallo, chopped tomatoes, or creamy slices of avocado. Each serving is a hug in a bowl!

Pro Tips for Making One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

Rice Matters: Be sure to use uncooked long-grain white rice—not quick-cooking or instant—so it absorbs the queso flavors without getting mushy.
Skillet Selection: Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with a well-fitting lid to keep steam in and cook the rice evenly.
Don’t Skip Draining: If the chicken releases a lot of liquid, drain it off before adding broth and cheese—this keeps your final dish perfectly thick and creamy.
Rest Before Serving: Let the finished One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice sit with the lid off for 5 minutes after cooking; this makes the rice fluffier and the sauce even richer.

How to Serve One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice

Garnishes

This dish loves a finishing touch—think dollops of cool sour cream, some bright pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, or creamy sliced avocado right on top of each serving. A sprinkle of extra shredded cheese or a few sliced jalapeños amp up both looks and flavor!

Side Dishes

Since One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is so hearty, it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, grilled corn, or a quick batch of sautéed bell peppers. Tortilla chips on the side are never a bad idea for a little scooping action!

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this straight out of the skillet, family-style, with a rainbow of toppings in little bowls so everyone can DIY their plate. Or, spoon it into halved bell peppers, stuff into tortillas for quick burritos, or layer over nachos for an epic game-day meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (lucky you!), transfer them to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and it stays deliciously creamy—just as comforting on day two as it was fresh from the pan.

Freezing

For longer storage, scoop portions into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating—keep in mind that the texture of rice may soften a bit, but the cheesy flavor stays fabulous!

Reheating

To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen things up, then microwave in increments, stirring every 30 seconds. Or, warm gently on the stovetop, covered, over low heat. Stir well for creamy results every time.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Absolutely, but brown rice needs more simmer time (about 40–45 minutes), and you may need another 1/2 cup of broth. Keep an eye on it as it cooks and add more liquid if it looks too dry.
What can I substitute for nacho cheese sauce?

If you don’t have canned nacho cheese, gently melt 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend with 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half until smooth—then use that as your homemade queso!
Is this One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice spicy?

It’s just mildly zesty as written, thanks to the Rotel. For a totally mild version, use plain diced tomatoes; to spice it up, add diced jalapeños or extra chili powder to taste.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Yes! Simply double all the ingredients and use the largest skillet or Dutch oven you have. The cook time may be a few minutes longer—just check for tender rice before serving.

Final Thoughts

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice is the kind of meal you’ll want in your weeknight rotation again and again—cozy, cheesy, and full of flavor without any fuss. I hope your crew loves it as much as mine does, and that it becomes a new go-to whenever you crave something hearty and memorable. Enjoy every creamy, satisfying bite!

One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice Recipe