This one pot Mexican chicken and rice is a favorite dish with chicken, rice, taco seasonings, veggies and beans. It’s simple, hearty and a meal the whole family loves!
Everyone in my whole family loves this Mexican recipe as well as my one pot burrito bowls, taco bake casserole and this one pot cheesy enchilada pasta.
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Easy One Pot Meal
This one pot Tex-Mex dish is a family favorite and a great one pot meal to make when you need something quick. It’s made in just one skillet in 40 minutes and makes great leftovers as well. It’s more loaded than my black beans and rice recipe, but we love it just the same!
It’s made with chicken, Mexican rice, beans, tomatoes, cheese and many more delicious Mexican food flavors! It can be used for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, burrito bowls or on top of nachos. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken: You will need one pound chicken cubed. I love to use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are great too!
- Vegetables: Green onion and chopped red bell pepper.
- Tomatoes and green chilies: You could use ROTEL if you would like.
- Black beans: Drained and rinsed.
- Rice: I love jasmine rice, although any long grain white rice can be used.
- Taco seasoning: I love my homemade taco seasoning but store bought works.
- Enchilada sauce: I love my red enchilada sauce as it adds a lot of flavor but water or chicken broth can be used.
- Shredded cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese, a Mexican blend of cheese or your favorite.
Substitutions and Variations
This one pan dish is super easy to customize based on what you have on hand. Below are a few easy substitutes you can make without sacrificing any flavor.
- Instead of chicken, use ground beef or ground turkey.
- Use pinto beans in place of black beans.
- Swap the red enchilada sauce for the green variety.
- Add in more veggies with the peppers and onions. Zucchini, corn and mushrooms are all great options.
How to Make One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
- Cook chicken: Start by cooking the diced chicken breast in an oiled skillet until no longer pink. Then add in the chopped peppers and onions and cook until translucent, about 3 or so minutes.
- Simmer: Next add in the diced tomatoes, black beans, green chiles, white rice, taco seasoning and enchilada sauce. Stir the mixture, then bring to a low boil. Once simmering, place the lid on top and cook on low until the liquid has evaporated and the rice is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Give the mixture a stir about half way through cooking.
- Add cheese: Once the rice is tender, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and let sit until melted. You can place the lid on top to help the cheese melt faster if preferred.
- Serve: Top with fresh cilantro, green onions and any other favorite toppings. We like to serve with tortilla chips, inside tortillas or over a bowl of lettuce.
Topping Suggestions
Before serving, don’t forget to finish it off with ALL the toppings. I love adding fresh cilantro, green onions and a dollop of sour cream!
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced green onions
- Diced avocado or guacamole
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced olives
- Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips
- Squeeze of fresh lime juice
What to Serve This With
This chicken skillet is simple to make and a weeknight favorite! One of the best parts of Mexican chicken and rice is you can serve it in so many ways. Serve with salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips and a simple green salad and it rivals any Mexican restaurant.
Scoop it into bowls, make it into a bean burrito, or use for tacos, chicken enchilada casserole, over a bed of lettuce, on top of nachos, or in a stuffed pepper. It’s the perfect meal to transform leftovers into a totally different dish!
FAQs
Brown rice may be used in this recipe, however I’d recommend using about 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup. It takes a bit longer to cook than jasmine rice, so you’ll also need to let it cook for an additional 10 minutes or so.
Sure! Use sweet potatoes in place of the chicken, similar to my one pot sweet potato bowls. I’d suggest using about 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and diced.
Yes! Rice is naturally gluten free, which makes this dish the perfect meal to serve to everyone in your family, even those with a gluten sensitivity or allergy. The only other ingredient to watch out for is the enchilada sauce – make sure to check the label to ensure it’s gluten-free before using.
This recipe makes a lot of food, so I love to freeze the leftovers! Place the leftovers inside of a flour tortilla and roll into enchiladas. Then pour enchilada sauce over the top and add shredded cheese for another meal.
Cover with foil and then store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw in the fridge the night before enjoying, then bake (covered) at 350ºF for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
More easy Mexican dinner favorites include these green chile chicken enchiladas, slow cooker taco lasagna and chicken fajita bowls.
More One Pan Dinners
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One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
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Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken , cubed
- ½ cup green onion , sliced thin
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 15 ounce can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 4 ounce can green chiles
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 ½ Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce , water or chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- Salt and Pepper , to taste
Optional toppings: Sour cream, tomatoes, sliced olives, green onions, avocado, cilantro
Optional sides: Tortillas, tortilla chips, lettuce
Instructions
- In a large non-stick pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the chicken and cook until no longer pink. Sprinkle salt and pepper over top. Stir in bell pepper and onion and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, black beans, green chiles, rice, taco seasoning and enchilada sauce. Bring to a simmer; cover with a lid and then turn the heat to low. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring half way in between.
- When rice is done, add salt and pepper to taste. Add cheese and let sit for a few minutes until melted.
- Top with fresh cilantro and green onions if desired. Add any other favorite toppings. We like to serve with tortilla chips, inside tortillas or over a bowl of lettuce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Chicken, Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Mexican, Nut-Free, One Pot, One Pot, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I didn’t have any enchilada sauce or green chilis, so I replaced the enchilada sauce with homemade sofrito and the green chilis with one chopped chili in adobo sauce. I also added a cup of chicken broth since the sofrito was pretty solid. It was INCREDIBLE.
Sounds like you created an amazing dish with those substitutions! So glad you enjoyed it Jess!
One pot meals are the best and this one the whole family loved.
I agree! So happy to hear it was a hit with your family, Amber!
I loved how easy this was!! I added some other veggies to it and 2/4 of my kids STILL asked for seconds. Will definitely make again!
Yay! Love sneaking in more veggies :) Happy to hear it was a hit, Danielle!
Love one pan dinners. Looks delicious and healthy. Perfect for busy weekdays. I will add this to my menu for next week. Thanks.
This was such a hit! Thank you for this awesome recipe.
You are so welcome! Glad to hear it was a hit :)
Going to give this one a whirl.
Hope you enjoy! :)
We love your one pot burrito bowls! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Made this cheesy chicken tex mex for my family and they absolutely loved it. I skipped the olives and the recipe still turned out great. Thansk for sharing!
The picture say it all! Look amazing and bet it delicious too.
This looks amazing! Wish this is what we were eating tonight!
Paige