
Mexican Chicken and Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 1 smallonion
minced
- 1 ½ lbboneless skinless chicken breast
cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- 1 tspchili powder
- 1 tspcumin
- 1 tspsalt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- 1 cuncooked long grain rice
rinsed
- 3 tbsptomato paste
- 1 ½ cwater
- 14- ounce can green chilies
- fresh roughly chopped cilantro
for serving
Directions
- 1
In a large pot of medium heat, heat the olive oil. Cook the onions until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the cubed chicken, season with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt and black pepper, and cook until the chicken is mostly cooked through, about 7 minutes.
- 3
Add the rice and tomato paste, and cook with the chicken for about 2 minutes until well combined with the seasoning.
- 4
Pour the water and green chilies. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid for 20 minutes, until rice is fully cooked. Remove from heat and allow the steam to continue cooking the rice for 10 more minutes.
- 5
Fluff the rice, sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve warm.

Mexican Chicken and Rice Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving a flavorful, hearty dinner that's incredibly simple to make? This one pan Mexican Chicken and Rice recipe is your answer, delivering authentic-tasting results with minimal fuss. It's the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you want big flavors without a big cleanup.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe shines because it brings together tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice in a single pan, making for an effortless cooking experience. The magic lies in the blend of tomato paste, canned green chiles, and a warming medley of garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin. These ingredients work in harmony to create a deeply savory and satisfying dish that feels both comforting and vibrant.
What to Expect
You'll be greeted with succulent, ½-inch cubes of boneless, skinless chicken breast nestled among fluffy long grain rice, all infused with rich, savory Mexican-inspired flavors. The green chiles add a pleasant, mild warmth, while the tomato paste provides a foundational tanginess. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of seasoned chicken and perfectly tender, aromatic rice, finished with the bright freshness of chopped cilantro. This main course is designed to be a complete meal, offering hearty satisfaction with every serving.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe is fantastic as written, you can easily tweak it to suit your preferences. For a milder flavor profile, you could use fewer green chiles, or for a little more kick, feel free to add a bit more chili powder to your taste. The fresh cilantro garnish is key for brightness, but you can adjust the amount based on how much you love that herby finish.
Serving & Context
This Mexican Chicken and Rice is ideal for a comforting family dinner any night of the week. Serve it simply in bowls, garnished generously with fresh roughly chopped cilantro to enhance its vibrant appeal and add a burst of fresh flavor.







