One-Pot Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice Recipe
A comforting and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender diced chicken, cheesy rice, and classic Southwest ingredients like black beans, corn, and salsa. This easy skillet dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and features melty cheddar and cream cheese for a creamy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Produce
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a bit of oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Add the diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are no longer pink inside, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the rinsed long-grain white rice along with the chicken broth, salsa, drained black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Add Cheeses: Turn off the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the dish is creamy and well combined. Serve warm.
Notes
- Rinse the rice before cooking to ensure fluffier texture.
- You can use fresh or frozen corn depending on availability.
- Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or chili powder to taste.
- For a spicier kick, add some diced jalapeño when sautéing the aromatics.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Southwest chicken rice, one-pot meals, cheesy chicken and rice, easy weeknight dinner, chicken skillet dinner
