Pollo Loco Mexican Chicken Rice (Printable)

Tender spiced chicken over fluffy rice with corn, black beans, tomatoes, and gooey queso blanco.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice & Vegetables

10 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
11 - 2 cups chicken broth
12 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
13 - 1 cup frozen corn
14 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Topping & Garnish

15 - 6 oz queso blanco (or other white queso cheese), shredded
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
17 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - In a small bowl, mix together cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken breasts to ensure full coverage.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
05 - Add rice to the same skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden and fragrant.
06 - Stir in chicken broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including liquid), frozen corn, and black beans. Mix well to combine.
07 - Nestle the seared chicken breasts into the rice mixture, pressing them slightly into the liquid.
08 - Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and rice is tender.
09 - Remove the skillet from the oven. Sprinkle shredded queso blanco evenly over the chicken and rice.
10 - Return skillet to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 5 additional minutes until the queso is melted and bubbly.
11 - Let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spices create this beautiful crust on the chicken that you will want to copy for everything else you cook
  • Everything happens in one pan so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup afterward
  • The way the queso melts into all the little corners of the rice makes every single bite feel special
02 -
  • The rice needs to be long grain because short grain will turn into a gummy mess in the oven
  • Do not lift the lid while it bakes or you will let out the steam that cooks the rice properly
  • Letting it rest for those 5 minutes is not optional, it makes the difference between fluffy and soupy rice
03 -
  • Pound your chicken to an even thickness before seasoning so it cooks uniformly throughout
  • Use a skillet that you know is truly oven safe because not all pans can handle that temperature
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