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One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice

This flavorful one pot Mexican chicken and rice is fast and delicious made with chicken, black beans, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes and green chilies. It’s ready to serve with all your favorite toppings in just 40 minutes!

skillet full of mexican chicken and rice
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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, comes together in about 40 minutes and makes great leftovers as well. Everyone in my whole family loves this as well as my taco bake casserole and this one pot cheesy enchilada pasta.

This recipe is a spin off from one of the most popular Mexican food recipes on my site, these one pot burrito bowls. It’s also a bit more loaded than my black beans and rice recipe.

It’s made with chicken, Mexican rice, beans, tomatoes, cheese and many more delicious 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.

skillet full of mexican chicken and rice

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.

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

Step by step photo collage of how to make mexican chicken and rice.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
spoonful of mexican chicken rice

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!

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

Can I use brown rice?

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.

Can I make it vegetarian?

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.

Is this meal gluten-free?

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.

Can I freeze leftovers?

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.

mexican chicken and rice in tortilla

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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skillet full of mexican chicken and rice

One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice

4.88 from 8 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This flavorful one pot Mexican chicken and rice is fast and delicious made with chicken, black beans, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes and green chilies. It's ready to serve with all your favorite toppings in 40 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6

Video

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

      Freezing: This dish makes a lot of food, so I love to freeze the leftovers! Place the leftovers inside of a tortilla and roll into enchiladas. Then pour enchilada sauce over the top and add shredded cheese for another meal. Cover with foil, label and stick in the freezer. Then when you’re ready to eat it, place it in the refrigerator the night before and then bake at 350ºF for 20-30 minutes covered and then 10-15 minutes uncovered.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 496kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 958mg | Potassium: 622mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1285IU | Vitamin C: 28.9mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 3.8mg

      Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

      Course: Main Course
      Cuisine: Mexican

      Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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