Cheesy Chicken Taco Rice (Printer-Friendly)

One-pan dish with chicken, spices, creamy cheese, and rice simmered together for bold Southwest flavors.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Oils and Seasonings

02 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Vegetables and Sauces

09 - 1 can (10 oz) undrained Rotel, tomatoes with green chilies
10 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

→ Liquids

11 - 2 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth

→ Grains

12 - 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed

→ Dairy

13 - 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese

→ Garnishes

14 - Sour cream, for serving
15 - Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
16 - Southwest ranch sauce, for drizzling

→ Accompaniments

17 - Tortilla chips, for serving

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken, season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and dried cilantro. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes until chicken is golden and cooked through.
02 - Add undrained Rotel, tomato sauce, minced garlic, chicken broth, and rinsed rice to the skillet. Stir well to combine, ensuring the rice is fully submerged.
03 - Cover skillet tightly, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Stir after 10 minutes to prevent sticking. Cook until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
04 - Remove skillet from heat and uncover. Evenly sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top. Allow cheese to melt from steam or place under a preheated broiler for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
05 - Top servings with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and Southwest ranch sauce. Serve alongside tortilla chips for a complete meal.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to ensure fluffy, non-sticky grains.
02 - Use low sodium broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
03 - Monitor cheese closely if broiling to prevent burning.

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