Quick and Easy Spanish Chicken and Rice Recipe

I got the idea for this quick and easy Spanish Chicken and Rice recipe many years ago. It has been one of our family favorites ever since. It is a perfect weeknight meal.

If you like dishes with bold flavors that are quick and easy, you have to try this one. It can be made in a variety of ways:

Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Baked in the Oven
In a Skillet on the Stove

Today, I am going to share my favorite way to cook this quick and easy dish – Baked in the oven. You can adjust the amount that you make, according to how many people you will be serving.

Quick and Easy Spanish Chicken and Rice

Simple Ingredients

Instructions

This dish is tasty and very versatile. You can make as much rice or chicken as you need for your whole family. Use mild or spicy salsa, and add as much shredded cheese as you want.

I love cilantro in this, but I don’t always have it on hand. When I do, I definitely use it!

Crock Pot Method

I never can remember which child liked which method, but one liked it in the oven and the other liked it in the crock pot. Therefore, I would switch my methods.

The crock pot method is about as easy as it gets, because it is a single pot meal. The rice tends to get a little mushy, but that is what they seemed to like about it.

• Spray a crock pot with cooking spray. I like olive oil spray.
• Add the uncooked rice to the crock pot.
• Measure the amount of water the rice package requires, but substitute at least 1 Cup of water for salsa. Stir the rice mixture well.
• Add the chicken pieces and pats of butter to the rice, pushing them down into the mixture.
• Cook on low until ready (this will all depend on the amount of chicken you are cooking).
• Serve the rice and chicken on each plate and top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Other Options

• Use brown rice or white rice and add the spices yourself.
• Cauliflower rice makes this a low carb dish. Just add plenty of seasonings.
• Use chicken broth for the rice instead of water.
• You can use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
• Cook the chicken on medium heat until golden brown in a large skillet or Dutch oven instead of the oven or crock pot.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container. It makes for great leftovers!
• Other spices: Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Adobo Seasoning
• Add a little bit of lemon juice or lime juice, depending on your taste.
• Other additions: Chopped green peppers, red bell peppers, tomato paste, chorizo sausage
• Eat with tortilla chips and more salsa.

Again, this quick and easy Spanish Chicken and Rice dish can be made in so many different ways with the ingredients of your choice. It can be an easy one-pot meal if you choose, but either way, it is sure to be one of your family’s favorite recipes.

Give it a try, and let me know how you like it.

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Recommended Items

These are some of my favorite cooking items. They make meal times so much easier.

This Crock Pot/Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Liners
Casserole Baking Dishes
Green Pan Skillet

Recipe Card

Spanish Chicken and Rice

Print

This recipe is full of flavor and very versatile. You can add or subtract the ingredients your family enjoys.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts
• Salsa of your choice
• 4-6 T. Butter
• Packaged Spanish Rice
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Spices: Salt, Black Pepper, and any other favorites
• Optional: Cilantro

Instructions

1. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and put 2-4 T. of butter in the baking dish. Add the chicken breasts and season them with salt & pepper.
2. Cover the chicken with salsa and cover with foil. Bake in a 350 degrees preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes. Cooking time will vary according to the size and thickness of the chicken.
3. When there is about 10 minutes cooking time remaining, use kitchen scissors to cut the cilantro directly onto the chicken (optional) and then add the shredded cheese. Cover the dish, and finish baking for the last 10 minutes.
4. While the chicken is cooking, make the rice on the stovetop, following the package directions. Serve the rice on each plate and top with the chicken. You can add more cheese at this point if desired.

Notes

You can also add all of the ingredients except the cheese to a crock pot and cook it on low until the chicken is done. Add the cheese to each individual plate.

Related Posts

How to Make Farmer’s Market Chicken and Vegetables
How to Make 9 Different Recipes with Baked Chicken

Until next week,

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