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Pollo Loco: Mexican Chicken and Rice with Queso Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 55 reviews

Pollo Loco is a flavorful Mexican-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with vibrant saffron yellow rice and a creamy white queso cheese finish. This one-pan recipe combines savory adobo seasoning and tomato bouillon for a rich and comforting meal perfect for any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sauce

  • 3 oz white queso
  • 2 tbsp milk

Chicken and Rice

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast
  • 1 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 10 oz saffron yellow rice
  • 1 cube tomato bouillon
  • 2½ cups water
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels if needed. Thoroughly rub 1 tsp of adobo seasoning over all sides of the chicken to ensure even flavor.
  2. Sauté Chicken: Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté until browned on each side, about 3 minutes per side.
  3. Add Rice and Liquid: To the skillet with the chicken, add 10 oz saffron yellow rice, 2½ cups water, and 1 cube of tomato bouillon. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and liquid is absorbed. Check doneness towards the end.
  5. Finish with Queso: When rice is cooked, add 3 oz white queso and 2 tbsp milk into the skillet. Fluff the mixture with a fork to combine the creamy cheese evenly with the rice and chicken.
  6. Serve: Serve the Pollo Loco warm, making sure each serving has a good portion of chicken, saffron rice, and the cheesy sauce for a complete, hearty meal.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, marinate chicken in adobo seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Use low-fat milk or cheese for a lighter version.
  • Ensure the skillet is tightly covered while simmering to cook rice evenly.
  • Adjust water quantity as needed depending on rice brand and cooking equipment.
  • Serve with fresh cilantro or lime wedges for added zest.

Keywords: Pollo Loco, Mexican Chicken, yellow rice, saffron rice, white queso, adobo chicken, skillet meal, easy Mexican recipe

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/pollo-loco-mexican-chicken-and-rice-with-queso-recipe/