Full of flavor and smothered with queso, this easy chicken and rice dinner is sure to be a new family dinner favorite!
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
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make this Recipe
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove the dish from the oven, and drizzle warmed queso on top.
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
Recipes Like This
- Next Level French Onion Chicken
- Southwest Queso Chicken and Rice
- 3 Ingredient Savory Rice
- Ronald's Epic Salsa
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!
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 430kcal
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!
Leighann
Am I missing the nutrition info? Looks like a great recipe!
Laura Ashley
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
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
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
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!
Tyanne
I loved this recipe! I used unflavored brown rice and put in enough water according to package and it turned out great.
Laura Ashley
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! 🙂
Lindsay
We just finished this tonight! It was delicious!
Laura Ashley
That is FANTASTIC!! I'm so happy you made it and it was a hit!