One-Pot Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice
A creamy, flavorful dish featuring chicken, rice, and melty cheese, all cooked in one pot for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced the star protein, juicy and tender.
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed absorbs all the flavors beautifully.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese melty, creamy goodness that makes it oh-so-dreamy.
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened adds that extra smooth texture.
- 1 medium onion, diced sweet and savory base flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced aromatic magic to elevate the dish.
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed nutritious and adds heartiness.
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned sweet pops of flavor and color.
- 2 cups chicken broth flavorful liquid to cook everything together.
- 1 cup salsa spicy and tangy boost to the overall taste.
- 1 tsp chili powder subtle warmth and a hint of spice.
- 1 tsp cumin earthy flavor to pull it all together.
- to taste Salt and pepper for that perfect seasoning balance.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by dicing the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Gather all the other ingredients so they’re ready to go.
Cooking
- In a large pot over medium heat, add a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion until it turns translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and chicken, cooking until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Add the rinsed rice, black beans, corn, chicken broth, salsa, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.
Serving
- Once everything is cooked perfectly, remove the pot from the heat.
- Stir in the cream cheese and shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
- Serve in bowls with your favorite toppings and enjoy every cheesy bite!
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in spices before cooking. Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time. Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Top with fresh cilantro or avocado for added freshness.