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    Home » Course » Dinner

    Queso Chicken and Rice

    January 10, 2023 by Laura Ashley 9 Comments

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    Full of flavor and smothered with queso, this easy chicken and rice dinner is sure to be a new family dinner favorite!

    plate of chicken, rice and small salad

    Mixed together in one dish and a hands off entrée for dinner, this oven baked masterpiece will quickly capture your heart! It’s loaded with savory flavors, quick to prepare and super delicious!

    What You’ll Need

    • Knorr Mexican Rice
    • Chicken Broth
    • Pace Picante Sauce
    • Taco Seasoning
    • Chicken
    • Mexican Cheese Blend
    • Queso Blanco Dip
    ingredients on tabletop

    Tools You’ll Need

    • 13”x9” Pan

    How to Make this Recipe

    1. This dinner is quick to prep! While the oven is preheating to 350°F, season the chicken on both sides with taco seasoning. Directly in the baking dish, whisk together both rice packets, broth, salsa and water.
    baking pan with dry rice
    1. Once combined, nestle the seasoned chicken into the rice in one even layer. Sprinkle the cheese evenly on top. TIGHTLY cover the dish with aluminum foil. This is important so that the the steam doesn’t escape. Bake 1 hour, then remove the foil and cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and top is slightly browned.
    2. Remove the dish from the oven, and drizzle warmed queso on top.
    cooked pan of chicken and rice dish

    Tips and Substitutions

    • Dark or white meat both work in this dish. If chicken tenderloins are used, it will likely only need a total cook time of 50 minutes covered plus 10 minutes uncovered. Breasts or thighs will need the 1 hour covered plus 10-15 minutes uncovered.
    • If you want to sear the seasoned chicken first, go ahead! Just adjust the covered oven cook time to 35-45 minutes.
    • What to serve with Queso Chicken and Rice:
      • Seared Fajita Veggies
      • Steamed Veggie Blend
      • Side Salad
      • Chips and Salsa
    plate of chicken, rice and small salad

    Recipes Like This

    • Next Level French Onion Chicken
    • Southwest Queso Chicken and Rice
    • 3 Ingredient Savory Rice
    • Ronald's Epic Salsa
    This is a picture of a plate of veggies, rice and chicken topped with queso.
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Queso Chicken and Rice

    Full of flavor and smothered with queso, this easy chicken and rice dinner is sure to be a new family dinner favorite!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time1 hr 10 mins
    Total Time1 hr 20 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Keyword: chicken
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 430kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 5.4oz packs Knorr Mexican Rice
    • 14.5 oz regular or low-sodium chicken broth
    • 16 oz Pace Picante Sauce or other smooth salsa
    • ½ cup water
    • 2-3 teaspoon taco seasoning
    • 2 ½-3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
    • 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
    • ½-3/4 cup queso blanco dip warmed

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • To a 13”x9” baking dish, whisk together both Knorr rice packets, broth, salsa and water. Season chicken on both sides with taco seasoning. Place the chicken into the rice mixture and sprinkle cheese on top.
    • Cover TIGHTLY with foil and bake 1 hour. Remove the foil, and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
    • Remove the dish from the oven, and drizzle warmed queso blanco dip on top.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8g | Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 14g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @dinnerin321 or tag #dinnerin321!
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Leighann

      January 12, 2023 at 10:52 am

      Am I missing the nutrition info? Looks like a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 12, 2023 at 12:27 pm

        It’s now at the bottom of the page. Some recipes automatically calculate the nutrition facts and some I have to do from scratch.

      • Laura Ashley

        January 12, 2023 at 12:27 pm

        It’s now at the bottom of the page. Some recipes automatically calculate the nutrition facts and some I have to do from scratch.

      • Sherry

        January 13, 2023 at 11:30 am

        I’m planning on making this tonight. The instructions say taco seasoning, but the picture shows adobo seasoning. Which one is best to use? Luckily, I have both in my pantry. 😀

      • Laura Ashley

        January 13, 2023 at 1:35 pm

        Hi Sherry! Great question. This is a taco seasoning my grocery store sells. It has similar flavor notes to traditional taco seasoning packets. Either will work great! I hope you love it too!

    2. Tyanne

      January 12, 2023 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this recipe! I used unflavored brown rice and put in enough water according to package and it turned out great.

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        January 17, 2023 at 5:20 pm

        That is AWESOME! I like the sound of the substitution you used too! I’m so happy you made it and it was a hit! 🙂

    3. Lindsay

      February 01, 2023 at 11:18 pm

      We just finished this tonight! It was delicious!

      Reply
      • Laura Ashley

        February 03, 2023 at 1:12 pm

        That is FANTASTIC!! I'm so happy you made it and it was a hit!

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    laura

    Welcome to my kitchen! I'm Laura Ashley, and I'm excited you're here! As a registered dietitian and diabetes educator, I love cooking all kinds of food and trying new restaurants. Food is my love language! Here at Dinner in 3, 2, 1, I serve up delicious and nutritious recipes you and your family will love.

    More about me →

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