Heartwarming Mexican Chicken & Rice Recipe for Comfort Meals

Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty Mexican chicken and rice that promises to warm your soul.

Packed with vibrant spices and tender chicken, this dish sings with authentic flavors.

The recipe blends traditional ingredients into a one-pot wonder that speaks directly to your hunger.

Aromatic seasonings dance through each bite, creating a symphony of taste.

Mexicans have long perfected the art of simple, satisfying meals like this comforting classic.

Layers of robust flavors meld together, transforming basic ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

You’ll want to savor every single spoonful of this delectable meal.

Serve Chicken and Rice With Flair

• Fiesta Plate Pairings: Crisp mixed green salad with tangy lime vinaigrette adds refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy dish.
• Zesty Side Companions: Serve with warm tortillas or crispy tortilla chips to scoop up extra rice and chicken mixture, enhancing the meal's Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Cooling Toppers: Dollop sour cream or creamy guacamole on top to balance the spicy seasonings and provide a smooth, rich texture that complements the chicken and rice.
• Bright Beverage Match: Pair with a cold Mexican beer like Corona or a citrusy margarita to complete the authentic dining experience and cool down the palate.

Best Storage Method for This Comfort Food

• Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention when reheated gently.
• Keep toppings like cheese and cilantro separate from main dish to prevent sogginess and maintain crisp textures when storing.
• Warm refrigerated portions in skillet with splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and revive original delicious flavors, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 4

Chicken and Rice Combo Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein star that absorbs Mexican spices beautifully, choose fresh, skin-free cuts for best texture and flavor absorption.
• Black Beans: Protein-packed legume that adds creamy richness and earthy depth to the dish, rinse thoroughly to reduce sodium.

• Onion, Bell Pepper: Foundational vegetables that create a sweet and slightly sharp flavor base, select crisp and vibrant colored peppers.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that provides intense flavor complexity, choose fresh cloves for maximum taste impact.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that delivers bright, citrusy notes, select bright green leaves without wilting.
• Lime: Zesty citrus that adds refreshing tang and balances rich flavors, choose firm fruits with smooth skin.

• Rice: Fluffy grain that serves as the hearty foundation, opt for long-grain white rice for perfect texture.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid that infuses moisture and deepens overall flavor profile, choose low-sodium varieties.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy ingredient that adds moisture and slight acidity, select no-salt-added canned versions.
• Frozen Corn: Sweet kernel that provides color and texture contrast, use high-quality frozen corn.
• Shredded Cheese: Creamy topping that melts beautifully, select mild Mexican blend for authentic taste.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Oregano: Spice blend that creates authentic Mexican flavor profile, use freshly ground spices for maximum pot.

Kitchen Tools for a Mexican-Style Bake

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken, sautéing vegetables, and simmering rice.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, bell peppers, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for dicing vegetables and preparing chicken.
• Mixing bowl: Used for seasoning chicken with spices.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately adding spices and salt.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring rice and mixing ingredients.
• Fork: Used for fluffing rice and garnishing at the end.

How to Cook Chicken and Rice With Boldness

• Spice Up the Chicken

Grab chicken pieces and coat them with a zesty blend of spices that’ll make your taste buds dance. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the chicken is thoroughly seasoned.

• Sizzle and Brown

Fire up a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken and let it sear until golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, set the chicken aside and get ready for the next flavor adventure.

• Awaken the Aromatics

In the same skillet, splash some olive oil and introduce diced onions and bell peppers. Let them soften and become translucent. Quickly add garlic and let its fragrance fill the kitchen.

• Rice Transformation

Sprinkle rice into the skillet with smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and salt. Stir and toast the rice for a minute to unlock deep, rich flavors.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover, and let it cook quietly for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb all the delicious flavors.

• Final Flourish

Reunite the chicken with the rice, then welcome frozen corn and black beans to the party. Cover and heat everything through for a final 5 minutes.

• Serve with Love

Fluff the rice, shower with shredded cheese, sprinkle fresh cilantro, and squeeze lime over the top. Your Mexican-inspired feast is ready to devour!

Ways to Enhance Your Casserole Flavor

• Rice Perfection
• Rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy, separated grains every single time.
• Cook a double batch and store leftovers in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that stay fresh for 3-4 days.
• Adjust chili powder and add jalapeños to customize heat intensity for mild or fiery flavor preferences.
• Replace chicken with ground turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for flexible protein options.
• Ensure all ingredients like broth and spices are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for those with dietary restrictions.

Cozy Mexican Chicken and Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savor the zesty flavors of mexican chicken and rice, a comforting dish that brings south-of-the-border warmth to your dinner table. Spicy, tender chicken nestled on a bed of fluffy rice promises a delightful meal that satisfies both hunger and culinary curiosity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for chicken)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for rice)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (or jasmine rice)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 0.5 tsp oregano
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 1.75 cups (414 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 0.5 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Sliced jalapenos

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with a robust blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of spices.
2. Chicken Searing: Utilize a large skillet with medium-high heat and olive oil to brown chicken pieces, cooking until completely done and developing a rich, caramelized exterior. Transfer cooked chicken to a holding plate.
3. Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté diced onion and bell pepper until they become translucent, then introduce minced garlic and quickly activate its intense flavor profile.
4. Rice Transformation: Incorporate rice and accompanying spices like smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and salt, gently toasting the grains to enhance their nutty characteristics and release aromatic compounds.
5. Liquid Integration: Combine diced tomatoes and chicken broth, allowing the mixture to reach a gentle simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and let the rice absorb the flavorful liquid until tender.
6. Final Assembly: Reintroduce cooked chicken, fold in frozen corn and black beans, creating a harmonious blend of textures and temperatures. Allow ingredients to meld and heat thoroughly.
7. Presentation: Fluff rice delicately, garnish with shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, and a zesty lime squeeze to elevate the dish’s vibrancy and complexity.

Notes

• Create a robust spice blend by massaging the seasonings directly into chicken pieces, ensuring deep flavor penetration and even coating.
• Continuously stir rice during toasting to develop nutty flavors without scorching, watching heat carefully to maintain golden color without charring.
• Maintain precise liquid-to-rice proportions to achieve perfectly fluffy rice; adjust broth quantity if rice seems too dry or wet during cooking.
• Easily substitute chicken with turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or jackfruit for dietary preferences while maintaining similar seasoning profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg