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Easy Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice Skillet

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal combining seasoned chicken, taco spices, rice, and a blend of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, diced
  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, sour cream, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Dice chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chop onion and mince garlic.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned but not fully cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add onion and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir well to coat.
  4. Stir in rice, coating it with the onion and seasoning mixture. Pour in chicken broth and salsa. Stir everything together.
  5. Return chicken to skillet, nestling it into the rice mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
  6. Simmer undisturbed for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover again for 2 minutes to melt cheese.
  8. Fluff rice gently with a fork. Serve hot with optional toppings.

Notes

Do not rush browning the chicken to lock in flavor. Keep the lid closed during simmering to trap steam and cook rice perfectly. Adjust seasoning if using salted broth. For low-carb, substitute cauliflower rice and cook separately. Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken, taco, rice skillet, cheesy, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-cheesy-chicken-taco-rice-skillet-recipe-ready-in-30-minutes/