Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 lb chicken breast, cut into cubes
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
03 -
10 oz can Rotel tomatoes (undrained)
04 -
8 oz can tomato sauce
05 -
1½ cups chicken broth
06 -
1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked and rinsed
07 -
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
08 -
1 tablespoon minced garlic
→ Seasonings
09 -
½ teaspoon salt
10 -
½ teaspoon black pepper
11 -
2 teaspoons chili powder
12 -
1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 -
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
→ Toppings and Garnish
14 -
Sour cream
15 -
Fresh cilantro, chopped
16 -
Southwest ranch dressing
17 -
Tortilla chips for serving
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken along with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and dried cilantro. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
02 -
Stir in the minced garlic, then add the undrained Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and rinsed rice. Mix everything together well to combine all the flavors.
03 -
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
04 -
Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top. Either let it melt from the residual heat, or place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
05 -
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot topped with dollops of sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, and a drizzle of southwest ranch dressing. Serve alongside tortilla chips for scooping.
# Notes:
01 -
Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent it from getting too sticky
02 -
Don't drain the Rotel - the liquid adds extra flavor and helps cook the rice properly
03 -
Stir only once during cooking to prevent the rice from becoming mushy
04 -
This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together