Pollo Loco Mexican Chicken and Rice (Printer-Friendly)

Tender spiced chicken with rice, beans, corn, and melted queso in one skillet.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice & Vegetables

10 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
11 - 2 cups chicken broth
12 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
13 - 1 cup frozen corn
14 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Topping & Garnish

15 - 6 oz queso blanco (or other white queso cheese), shredded
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
17 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - In a small bowl, mix together cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
03 - Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes per side until browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
05 - Add rice to the same skillet and toast for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden.
06 - Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn, and black beans. Mix well.
07 - Nestle the seared chicken breasts into the rice mixture.
08 - Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and the rice is tender.
09 - Remove the skillet from the oven. Sprinkle shredded queso evenly over the chicken and rice.
10 - Return skillet to the oven, uncovered, for 5 minutes, until the queso is melted and bubbly.
11 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you get maximum flavor with minimal cleanup effort
  • The spice blend hits that perfect sweet spot where kids still enjoy it but adults get something genuinely interesting
  • It somehow tastes even better the next day, making it your new best friend for meal prep lunches
02 -
  • Don't lift the lid during baking or you'll release steam that the rice needs to cook properly
  • If your rice is still crunchy after the initial baking time, add a splash of broth and continue baking covered
  • The cheese goes from perfect to burnt quickly so keep an eye on it during that final 5 minutes
03 -
  • Use a cast-iron skillet if you have one for the best sear and even heat distribution
  • Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute
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