Mexican Chicken and Rice (Arroz Con Pollo) With Queso – Restaurant-Style at Home

If you’re craving restaurant-style Mexican comfort food made easily in your own kitchen, this Mexican Chicken and Rice (Arroz Con Pollo) With Queso hits all the right notes. This cheesy, hearty one-skillet meal is inspired by the ACP dishes served in many Mexican-American restaurants. It brings together tender chicken, perfectly seasoned rice, and a blanket of melty cheese for a dish that’s as satisfying as it is simple to prepare.

What sets this cheesy Arroz Con Pollo apart is the generous use of queso that melts right into the rice, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce that pulls all the ingredients together. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or planning a cozy weekend dinner, this dish delivers both ease and flavor. It’s also highly versatile—perfect for customizing with your favorite ingredients like corn, black beans, or even spicy jalapeños.

For those unfamiliar with the dish, Arroz Con Pollo is a traditional Latin recipe that literally translates to “rice with chicken.” Its roots span across countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, with regional twists adding unique ingredients. You can learn more about the cultural history of Arroz Con Pollo on Wikipedia. The Mexican-style version often features vibrant spices and creamy cheese, making it a standout fusion of heritage and comfort food. If you’re interested in understanding the depth of Mexican cuisine, this overview offers excellent background.

What Is Arroz Con Pollo?

Arroz Con Pollo—literally translating to “rice with chicken”—is a traditional Latin American dish that combines seasoned chicken with rice, vegetables, and spices, all cooked together in one pot. While variations exist across countries like Spain, Puerto Rico, and Colombia, the Mexican version often includes bold flavors like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder, along with a creamy cheese finish.

What sets the Mexican Chicken and Rice version apart is its incorporation of queso, giving it a rich, velvety texture that elevates the dish from classic comfort food to crave-worthy. It’s inspired by the popular “ACP” (Arroz Con Pollo) dishes served in many Mexican-American restaurants in the U.S., where rice, chicken, and cheese are the stars of the plate.

There’s a delightful balance between the smokiness of paprika—a staple in Mexican seasoning—and the creaminess of melted cheese. You can learn more about the origin and uses of smoked paprika, which is essential in creating that restaurant-style depth. The cumin, another key spice in this dish, not only adds earthy undertones but also offers nutritional benefits that are outlined in this Wikipedia entry on cumin.

While traditional Arroz Con Pollo typically omits cheese, this restaurant-inspired version brings a distinctly Mexican-American twist with the addition of cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend. It’s a perfect example of how food evolves, blending cultural staples with modern preferences for cheesy, hearty meals. Whether you’re preparing a quick family dinner or looking for a dish that mimics your favorite restaurant’s ACP, this cheesy chicken and rice skillet will meet the craving.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice

There are countless reasons why this Easy Arroz Con Pollo with Queso is a go-to recipe for home cooks. Whether you’re feeding a family or preparing for a busy week ahead, this dish checks all the boxes for flavor, simplicity, and comfort.

• One-Skillet Simplicity: Everything is cooked in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. It’s the ultimate one-pan Mexican chicken and rice dinner.

• Restaurant-Style Taste at Home: With just a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you can recreate the flavor of your favorite ACP from a Mexican restaurant without leaving your kitchen.

• Bold, Authentic Flavors: The dish features a perfect balance of smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder, creating a layered flavor profile that’s deeply satisfying. To explore more about these spices, check out this overview of cumin and smoked paprika.

• Cheesy Comfort in Every Bite: The melted cheese turns the rice into a creamy, rich base that makes the meal extra comforting. For inspiration on other cheesy rice dinners, browse this Pinterest board.

• Customizable and Kid-Friendly: Swap out the veggies, use a different cheese, or add more spice to suit your preferences. Even picky eaters love the creamy, cheesy flavors.

• Great for Leftovers: This dish stores and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prepping or next-day lunches.

For more Mexican dinner inspiration, including dishes that pair well with this one, explore this Pinterest board featuring Mexican recipes. With its hearty ingredients, flexible customization, and restaurant-worthy flavor, this dish is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create a deeply satisfying meal.

Ingredients Breakdown

This Cheesy Arroz Con Pollo comes together with a balance of pantry staples and fresh ingredients that create a rich, flavorful, and hearty dish. Here’s a closer look at what goes into this Mexican chicken and rice with queso, and how each ingredient plays a role in the final taste and texture.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  Acts as the cooking base for sautéing chicken and vegetables. Olive oil helps build layers of flavor early in the cooking process.

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, while breasts offer a leaner option. Learn more about their differences in this Wikipedia article on chicken.

• Salt and pepper, to taste
  Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the rice.

• 1 small onion, diced
  Adds a savory base and enhances the dish’s aromatic depth.

• 1 bell pepper, diced
  Provides color, crunch, and subtle sweetness.

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  Brings out sharp, aromatic undertones. Garlic is essential in building the flavor profile.

• 1 cup long grain white rice
  Long grain rice is ideal because it stays fluffy and doesn’t clump. It also absorbs the flavors of the broth and spices beautifully. To understand more about rice varieties, visit this Wikipedia page.

• 2 cups chicken broth
  Adds moisture and depth to the rice. Using broth instead of water boosts the overall flavor.

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  Offers earthy, warm undertones. Cumin is widely used in Mexican cuisine for its deep flavor and mild spice. Here’s more on cumin.

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  Gives a subtle smokiness that mimics the flavor of grilled meats. It’s an essential spice in many Mexican-inspired dishes. See how it’s used across cuisines here.

• ½ teaspoon chili powder
  Provides mild heat and balances the savory spices.

• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  Adds a pop of color, sweetness, and texture to the dish.

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  The star of the queso element. Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting. For a more traditional touch, consider using queso blanco.

• Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  Adds a burst of freshness and brightens the dish before serving.

To explore how others combine these types of ingredients in creative ways, check out this Pinterest pin on one-pan meals, which highlights the convenience and flavor of skillet dishes like this one.

These simple, easy-to-find ingredients work together to deliver that creamy, cheesy, restaurant-style experience that makes this dish so popular. With just a few substitutions or additions, you can customize this dish to your preferences without compromising its core flavor.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Preparing this easy Arroz Con Pollo with queso doesn’t require any complicated kitchen equipment. With just a few basic tools, you’ll have everything you need to cook, simmer, and serve this delicious one-pan meal. Here’s what to gather before you start:

• Large skillet with lid
  A wide skillet or sauté pan allows the ingredients to cook evenly. A lid is essential for simmering the rice and retaining moisture.

• Measuring cups and spoons
  Accurate measurements help balance the flavors and ensure perfect rice-to-liquid ratio.

• Cutting board and sharp knife
  For chopping chicken, vegetables, and herbs safely and efficiently.

• Wooden spoon or spatula
  Ideal for stirring and scraping up bits of flavor from the bottom of the pan without damaging nonstick surfaces.

Having these simple tools ready will make your cooking process seamless and enjoyable. It’s all about keeping things simple, efficient, and packed with flavor—just like this dish.