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I love making this Chicken Taco Rice because it is a filling dinner that comes together without too much planning. The rice cooks in the pan with the chicken and tomatoes, when finished it is creamy, and topped with melted cheese. This chicken taco rice is easy to scoop into bowls and is a dependable one-pan dinner that works on the busiest of nights.
👉 My One-Pot Hawaiian Chicken Coconut Rice is a delicious one-pot dinner that your family is going to ask for over and over.
Chicken taco rice is a one-pan dinner made with seasoned chicken, white rice, tomatoes with green chiles, and melted cheese. Everything cooks together in a skillet for an easy, Tex-Mex inspired meal. The rice absorbs the seasoned broth while the chicken stays tender. This recipe works well for busy weeknights and family dinners.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This dinner is so hearty and does not require multiple pans to make. The chicken cooks quickly, the rice turns tender, and the cheese finishes everything off perfectly. It is an easy meal to serve and even customize with different toppings.
⏰ Total Time: About 35 minutes
🍂 Perfect For: Weeknight dinners, one-pan meals
🛒 Key Ingredients: Chicken, rice, diced tomatoes with green chiles
🍽️ Servings: 4
🥄 Skill Level: Easy
🧊 Storage: Refrigerator friendly
👉 I think you are going to really love my One Pot Taco Pasta.
Made With Love,
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need for Chicken Taco Rice
- Full Ingredients List
- Swaps & Substitutions
- About What This Costs
- How to Make Chicken Taco Rice
- Chicken Taco Rice Variations
- Tips and Tricks
- Recipe FAQs – Chicken Taco Rice
- Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- How I Use the Leftovers
- More Great One-Pot Dinners
- Chicken Taco Rice Recipe
What You’ll Need for Chicken Taco Rice
- Chicken breasts: Cook quickly and stay tender when cut into small pieces.
- White rice: Absorbs the seasoned broth and thickens the dish.
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles: Add flavor and mild heat.
- Tomato sauce and diced green chiles: Build the base of the sauce.
👉 My Rotisserie Chicken Bacon Alfredo is a creamy pasta-style dinner that fits well into busy weeks.
Full Ingredients List
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, undrained
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
Swaps & Substitutions
- Use jasmine rice in place of white rice if preferred.
- Reduce chili powder for a milder version.
About What This Costs
Estimated total cost: $11–14
Servings: 4
Estimated cost per serving: About $3–3.50
This estimate is based on average US grocery prices and may vary depending on location, store, and seasonal pricing.
How to Make Chicken Taco Rice
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Add the chicken, salt, and black pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Step 3: Stir in the oregano, chili powder, cumin, and minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, diced green chiles, chicken broth, and uncooked rice. Mix well.
Step 5: Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
Step 7: Serve warm with desired toppings.
🔒 The step-by-step instructions are also available in the printable recipe card below — don’t forget to save it for later!
Chicken Taco Rice Variations
- Add extra cheese for a creamer finish.
- Stir in black beans if desired.
- Consider serving in tortillas.
👉 Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet is another bold rice dinner that is often in my rotation.
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Cutting the chicken into small pieces helps it cook evenly.
- Using broth instead of water keeps the rice flavorful.
- Stir occasionally so the rice does not stick.
- Keep the skillet covered while simmering for even cooking.
Recipe FAQs – Chicken Taco Rice
Yes, it reheats well and keeps its texture.
Yes, it firms up slightly after resting.
It is best stored in the refrigerator for best texture.
👉 If you are looking for another dependable rice dinner, you need to try my Italian Chicken and Rice.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with sour cream and avocado.
- Add crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
- Serve with a simple side salad.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for best texture.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove or in the microwave.
👉 My Slow Cooker Meatless Chili Mac is a hearty meal perfect for planning ahead.
How I Use the Leftovers
- Reheat for lunch the next day.
- Spoon into bowls with extra toppings.
- Serve inside tortillas for a quick wrap.
Pin this one so it’s ready when you need it.
Chicken Taco Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles, undrained
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in oregano, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Cook briefly.
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, broth, and rice. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
- Stir in cheese and serve.
Notes
- Stir occasionally while simmering.
- Let rest briefly before serving.
- Customize with toppings as desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
