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Homemade Skillet Chicken con Queso Recipe photo

Skillet Chicken con Queso Recipe

A creamy, cheesy one-skillet chicken and rice with queso and salsa ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cut into cubes
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 2 cups instant white rice
  • 1 cup Queso Blanco (white queso) homemade or store-bought, melted
  • 1 cup salsa thin restaurant-style
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 can green chiles 4.5 ounce can, drained
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo
  • 1 cup Mexican blend cheese shredded

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Spatula or tongs
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • lid for skillet or foil
  • Oven broiler

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the cubed chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 3–4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle 1 ounce taco seasoning over the chicken and add 1½ tablespoons water; stir or toss to coat the pieces evenly.
  4. Continue to cook the chicken, turning, until cooked through, about 6–8 minutes total. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  5. In the same skillet, pour in 1 cup half and half and 2 cups instant white rice; stir to combine and deglaze any browned bits from the bottom.
  6. Stir in 1 cup melted Queso Blanco and 1 cup salsa, bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low; simmer for about 5 minutes or until the rice is cooked and fluffy.
  7. Fold in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, the drained can of green chiles, and 1/2 cup pico de gallo until evenly distributed.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the rice mixture, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Place the skillet under a preheated broiler for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and lightly browned; garnish with additional cilantro if desired.

Notes

  • Add vegetables like zucchini, corn, squash, or artichoke hearts for variation.
  • Red kidney or black beans can be stirred in for extra protein.
  • Homemade pico de gallo, salsa, and queso work great, but store-bought is fine.