Description
Comforting cheesy chicken and rice brings midwestern warmth to dinner tables with its creamy blend of tender chicken and perfectly seasoned rice. Melted cheese creates a rich, satisfying meal that connects families around one delicious plate you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen peas
Grains and Vegetables:
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet, creating a sizzling base for the culinary journey.
- Introduce diced onion and bell pepper, transforming them with gentle sautéing until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Incorporate chicken chunks, browning them evenly to develop rich, caramelized flavors.
- Layer in rice, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, and vibrant green peas, creating a harmonious mixture.
- Awaken the dish with cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings thoroughly.
- Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, then blanket the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, reducing heat to a whisper.
- Let the ingredients meld and transform for approximately 20 minutes, ensuring rice becomes perfectly tender and liquid is completely absorbed.
- Unveil the skillet and cascade shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, creating a molten blanket of cheesy goodness.
- Return the lid briefly, permitting the cheese to melt into a creamy, enticing layer.
- Present the dish immediately, garnishing with fresh cilantro for a burst of bright, herbal complexity.
Notes
- Swap bell peppers with zucchini or carrots for a different vegetable crunch and nutrition boost.
- Use brown rice instead of white for extra fiber and a nuttier flavor profile.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and limiting added salt.
- Make it spicy by adding extra chili powder or a dash of hot sauce for heat lovers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 587 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg