Description
A flavorful and comforting one-pot meal combining tender chicken, creamy cheeses, and a southwest-inspired blend of spices, black beans, corn, and salsa cooked with rice for an easy and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, frozen or canned
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a bit of oil and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Add the diced chicken breasts to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add Rice and Flavors: Stir in the rinsed long-grain white rice, chicken broth, salsa, drained black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Cheese it up: Once the rice is cooked, stir in the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until both are fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy and cheesy texture throughout the dish.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch for fluffier rice.
- You can use fresh or canned corn; if using frozen, no need to thaw before adding.
- Adjust the chili powder and cumin according to your preferred spice level.
- For a thicker sauce, let the pot sit uncovered for a few minutes after cooking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Keywords: one pot, chicken and rice, cheesy chicken, southwest chicken, easy dinner, comfort food
