Queso Smothered Chicken
This Queso Smothered Chicken is a comforting, flavor-packed meal that makes everyone at the table ask for seconds — Pollo con Queso is it. This dish brings together juicy sautéed chicken, homemade Spanish rice, and a rich, creamy queso sauce made from scratch.
Servings: 5
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 3/4 to 2 lbs. Chicken Breast or Thighs (sliced)
- 2 Tablespoons Oil
- 1 Taco Seasoning or Fajita Seasoning Packet (about 3 Tablespoons)
Queso:
- 2/3 lb. Boar's Head White American Cheese (deli dept)
- 1/2 lb. Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack Cheese (8-ounce block, cut into small cubes)
- (1) 10-ounce can Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies (drained)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Jalapeno (diced)
- (1) 12-ounce can Evaporated Milk (or Half-n-Half)
- (1) 4-ounce can Green Chilies
Spanish Rice:
- https://www.modernhoney.com/spanish-rice/
- Cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Spanish Rice. Find my Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe Here.
- Saute the Chicken. Slice chicken breasts or thighs into thin, even strips against the grain. Season with taco or fajita seasonings. Heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken strips in batches (avoid overcrowding) for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and let rest for several minutes.
- Make the Queso. Heat a large skillet or pot over medium-low heat. Drain the Rotel tomatoes and add to the skillet. Add diced jalapenos and saute for 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt
- Add evaporated milk or half-n-half. Add only 1/4 of the American cheese at a time, stirring well after each addition. Once the American cheese is added, add 1/4 of the pepper jack cheese at a time. Stir often until completely melted. Once the cheese is melted, stir in the green chiles. Cook for 5 minutes longer.
- Assemble the dish. Spoon a bed of Spanish rice onto each plate or bowl. Top with sauteed chicken strips. Drizzle generously with warm queso. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Notes
See the recipe post above for answers to frequently asked questions and substitution ideas.
Nutrition
Calories: 625kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 203mg | Sodium: 1584mg | Potassium: 712mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 999IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 979mg | Iron: 1mg
