Description
This Mexican Chicken & Rice one-pot recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish combining tender chicken cubes with aromatic spices, bell peppers, black beans, and sweetcorn, all cooked together with rice and finished with melted cheese. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 600 g (1.3 lb) chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 red pepper, cut into small cubes
- 1 yellow pepper, cut into small cubes
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp mild chilli powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 200 g (1 cup) rice, rinsed
- 500 g (2 cups) passata
- 500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock
- 400 g (15 oz) black beans (tinned), drained and rinsed
- 200 g (7 oz) sweetcorn, drained
- 75 g (2.5 oz) grated cheese, mozzarella or cheddar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Optional
- 2–3 spring onions (scallions or green onions)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Heat the sunflower oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breast and stir for 5 minutes until the chicken is colored evenly on all sides.
- Add Spices and Vegetables: Add crushed garlic, red and yellow bell peppers, cumin, mild chilli powder, and paprika. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the chicken and vegetables are well coated in the spices.
- Simmer with Rice and Liquids: Add the rinsed rice, passata, chicken stock, drained black beans, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, bring the mixture to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice has fully absorbed the liquid and is tender, adding extra water or stock if needed to prevent sticking.
- Add Sweetcorn and Heat Through: Stir in the drained sweetcorn and cook for another 4-5 minutes to warm it through.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle grated mozzarella or cheddar cheese on top. Place the saucepan under a grill (broiler) for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the grill, sprinkle chopped spring onions on top if using, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Rice Liquid: Different types of rice and cooking equipment may require additional liquid. If the rice looks dry or starts sticking, add a splash of water or chicken stock during cooking.
- Peppers: Use sweet red and yellow bell peppers for the best flavor and color.
- Spring Onions: Also known as scallions or green onions, these add a fresh, mild onion flavor as a garnish.
- Cheese Variation: Mozzarella provides a mild creaminess, while cheddar gives a sharper flavor; feel free to choose your preference.
- Adjust Spice Level: Mild chilli powder is used to keep the dish approachable; increase or decrease for desired heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
