Fiesta Chicken Rice Delight
This Fiesta Chicken Rice Delight is a vibrant and flavor-packed one-dish meal that brings the essence of Mexican cuisine right to your table! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with perfectly cooked rice, a zesty salsa, and aromatic spices. Topped with melted Mexican blend cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro and jalapeños, every bite bursts with deliciousness. Whether you’re enjoying a family meal or entertaining friends, this dish is sure to impress and can easily be doubled for larger gatherings. Dive into a helping of Mexican tradition and enjoy the fiesta at home!
4
Servings
300
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
large onion
1 (chopped)
butter
2 (tablespoons)
chicken broth
1.25 (cups)
salsa
1 (cup)
uncooked long grain rice
1 (cup (NOT quick rice))
garlic powder
0.25 (teaspoon)
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 (whole)
shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 (cup)
fresh cilantro
0.5 (cup (chopped))
jalapeno
to taste (diced (for garnish))
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the chopped onion until it is golden and tender, about 5 minutes.
2
Add the boneless skinless chicken breast halves to the skillet and lightly brown on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
3
Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
4
In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth and salsa. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
5
Once boiling, carefully stir in the uncooked long grain rice and garlic powder, ensuring the rice is evenly distributed.
6
Nestle the browned chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture and cover the skillet with a lid.
7
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
8
After 10 minutes, carefully turn the chicken breasts over, re-cover the skillet, and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
9
After the cooking time is complete, remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese over the top. Cover once more until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
10
Before serving, garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro and diced jalapeños to taste. Enjoy your Fiesta Chicken Rice Delight!
Nutrition Information
10.5g
Fat
30g
Carbs
22g
Protein
2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fiesta Chicken Rice Delight?
It is a vibrant and flavor-packed one-dish meal that combines chicken breasts with rice, salsa, and Mexican spices, topped with melted cheese.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What type of rice should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of uncooked long grain rice. It specifically notes not to use quick rice.
Can I use quick rice for this dish?
No, the recipe specifically states to use long grain rice and not quick rice to ensure proper texture and cooking time.
What type of chicken is required?
The recipe requires 4 whole boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 300 calories per serving.
How long should I sauté the onion?
Sauté the chopped onion in butter for about 5 minutes until it is golden and tender.
Do I need to brown the chicken before simmering?
Yes, you should brown the chicken breasts for approximately 4-5 minutes per side in the skillet before adding the rice mixture.
What is the total simmering time for the rice and chicken?
The total simmering time is 20 minutes: 10 minutes on one side, then flip the chicken and simmer for another 10 minutes.
How much chicken broth is needed?
The recipe requires 1.25 cups of chicken broth.
What kind of salsa should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of salsa; you can choose your preferred heat level to suit your taste.
Is this a good recipe for a weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is described as a perfect easy recipe for busy weeknights because it is a one-dish meal.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
The recipe recommends 1 cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese.
What garnishes should I use?
Garnish the dish with 0.5 cup of freshly chopped cilantro and diced jalapeños to taste.
How much fat is in a serving?
Each serving contains 10.5g of fat.
How much protein does this dish provide?
Each serving provides 22g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
Yes, there are 2g of fiber per serving.
How much butter is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of butter.
Do I need to flip the chicken while it simmers?
Yes, after the first 10 minutes of simmering, you should carefully turn the chicken breasts over and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Should I cover the skillet during the cooking process?
Yes, the skillet should be covered with a lid while simmering the rice and chicken, and again to melt the cheese.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, the dish can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
What seasoning is added to the rice?
The rice is seasoned with 0.25 teaspoon of garlic powder along with the salsa and broth.
How long does it take for the cheese to melt?
After removing from heat, sprinkle the cheese and cover for about 5 minutes until it melts.
Is the chicken broth and salsa mixed before adding rice?
Yes, you pour them into the skillet, stir to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil before adding the rice.
How do I ensure the rice is evenly distributed?
When you add the uncooked rice and garlic powder to the boiling mixture, stir carefully to ensure even distribution.
What is the recommended heat setting for simmering?
The heat should be reduced to low once the rice and chicken are in the skillet.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
The recipe specifically calls for chicken breast halves, but you could substitute thighs, though cooking times may vary.
Should I keep the chicken in the pan while boiling the broth?
No, you should remove the browned chicken and cover it with foil to keep warm while you bring the broth and salsa to a boil.
Does this recipe include any fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses 0.5 cup of freshly chopped cilantro as a garnish.