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Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice

Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice

This Cheesy Southwest Chicken & Rice is a comforting one-pot meal, featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy cheese, perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southwest
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Main Dish
  • 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 1 cup Long-Grain White Rice avoid quick-cook varieties
  • 1 Bell Pepper chopped; can substitute with sweet peppers or zucchini
  • 1 cup Frozen Corn adds sweetness and crunch
  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese can use pepper jack for a kick
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 2 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth vegetable broth also works
  • 1 can Black Beans drained; can substitute with kidney beans

Equipment

  • large pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cooking until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, stir in 1 chopped bell pepper and 1 cup of frozen corn. Cook for about 3 minutes until softened.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, stirring well. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in 1 cup of long-grain white rice, stirring until coated with the mixture. Cook for about 2 minutes.
  5. Add 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
  6. After 20 minutes, add 1 can of drained black beans and 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese melts.
  7. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 35gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Use a heavy pot to prevent sticking. Monitor cooking times carefully to avoid dry chicken and mushy rice. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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