This one-pan meal is smoky, tacky, and ultra-comforting – good for a fast weeknight dinner. Hen, rice, and black beans come along with daring chipotle taste, and the melted cheese on high makes it irresistibly creamy and scrumptious. Prepared in simply Half-hour!
Craving a Mexican-inspired meal for dinner tonight? We’ve obtained you lined. Some nights, you simply want a meal that’s hearty, satisfying, and simple to tug collectively – and this tacky Mexican hen and rice delivers on all fronts. With hen, chipotle-spiced rice, black beans, candy corn, and cheese, this dish is the proper steadiness of daring flavors and comforting textures. Even higher? All of it comes collectively in a single skillet in simply Half-hour, making it a go-to for busy weeknights.
I really like recipes like this as a result of they’re filling, flavorful, and simple to customise. You’ll be able to modify the spice stage, swap the protein, or pile in your favourite toppings – assume avocado, bitter cream, or a handful of crispy tortilla strips.
And should you take pleasure in one-pan meals that pack a punch, you may also love my Beef Smooth Tacos or my Loaded Beef Nachos for one more enjoyable twist on Tex-Mex flavors.
Causes to Love This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
Make sure you try the complete recipe and ingredient record within the recipe card beneath
- Olive Oil. Used for sautéing the hen and stopping sticking. You’ll be able to substitute avocado oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter.
- Hen Thighs or Breasts. The hen gives the protein base of the dish, including taste and texture. Additional-firm tofu can be utilized as an alternative – press and dice earlier than cooking.
- Salt & Black Pepper. Salt and pepper improve taste and balances the spices. You should utilize a salt-free seasoning mix should you’re watching sodium.
- Smoked Paprika. Smoked paprika provides a deep, smoky taste. You’ll be able to substitute common paprika plus a pinch of liquid smoke or chili powder.
- Cumin. Cumin brings heat and earthiness to the dish. You’ll be able to substitute coriander or taco seasoning.
- Basmati Rice. Basmati, or any long-grain rice, absorbs the flavors whereas cooking.
- Hen Broth. Hen broth provides moisture and enhances taste. Vegetable broth, beef broth, or water with bouillon can work additionally.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo. Gives smoky warmth and depth. You’ll be able to substitute 1 tsp chipotle powder or smoked paprika for a milder choice.
- Garlic Powder. Garlic powder provides savory depth. You’ll be able to substitute 2 recent garlic cloves, minced, or onion powder.
- Black Beans. Black beans add protein, fiber, and texture. You’ll be able to substitute pinto beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas.
- Frozen Corn. Corn provides sweetness and texture. Canned corn (drained) or recent corn kernels can even work.
- Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese. Melts superbly for a creamy end. You too can use Pepper Jack for a spicier kick or mozzarella for additional gooeyness.
- Lime Juice. Brightens the dish and enhances taste. When you don’t have limes lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar will work.
- Recent Cilantro. Recent cilantro provides a recent, herby end. You too can use inexperienced onions, parsley, or omit should you’re not a fan.
Step-By-Step Directions with Images
It is a temporary overview. Make sure you try the complete recipe and ingredient record within the recipe card beneath.
Ideas for Success
- Sear the Hen for Most Taste. Browning the hen earlier than including the rice enhances the flavour and locks in juices. Don’t skip this step.
- Use the Proper Rice. Lengthy-grain white rice works greatest. We used basmati. If utilizing brown rice, enhance the broth and prepare dinner time accordingly. Rinse the rice earlier than cooking for a fluffier texture.
- Don’t Raise the Lid Whereas Cooking. Holding the lid on permits the rice to steam correctly. Stir solely as soon as earlier than overlaying to forestall sticking.
- Test for Extra Liquid. If the rice remains to be too moist after quarter-hour, uncover and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes till totally absorbed.
- Alter the Spice Degree. Chipotle peppers add smoky spice. Use fewer for a milder dish or swap with chipotle powder for a gentler kick.
- Soften Cheese Off the Warmth. When you sprinkle the cheese on high, cowl the skillet and take away it from warmth. This ensures a creamy soften with out overcooking the dish.
- End with Recent Lime. A squeeze of lime juice simply earlier than serving balances the wealthy, smoky flavors.
- Customise with Toppings. Strive including avocado slices, bitter cream, diced tomatoes, or a drizzle of scorching sauce for additional taste.
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Let the dish cool utterly earlier than sealing to forestall extra moisture buildup.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. To forestall the rice from changing into mushy, let it cool utterly earlier than freezing.
Reheating from fridge:
- Stovetop: Heat in a skillet over medium warmth with a splash of broth or water. Stir sometimes till heated by.
- Microwave: Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cowl with a moist paper towel, and warmth in 30-second intervals, stirring between every, till heat.
- Oven: Reheat in an oven-safe dish at 350 F (177 C), lined with foil, for 15-20 minutes or till heated by.
Reheating from frozen:
Finest Methodology: Thaw within the fridge in a single day, then reheat utilizing one of many strategies above.
Oven Methodology: Reheat straight from frozen by putting it in a lined oven-safe dish and reheat within the oven at 325 F (160 C) for 25-Half-hour, including a splash of broth to forestall drying. Stir midway by for even heating.
Microwave Methodology: Place a frozen portion in a microwave-safe dish, cowl with a moist paper towel, and use the defrost setting (or 50% energy) for 3-5 minutes, stirring midway by. As soon as principally thawed, warmth at full energy in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, till scorching. If the rice appears dry, stir in a small splash of broth or water earlier than heating.
Our Favourite
Mexican-Impressed Recipes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless hen thighs or breasts, lower into bite-size items (Word 1)
- 1 teaspoon salt modify to style
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika provides depth of taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin basic heat, earthy spice
- 1 cup basmati rice raw (Word 2)
- 2 cups hen broth Word 3
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced (Word 4) (or 1 tsp chipotle powder for a milder model)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed (Word 5)
- 1 cup frozen corn (Word 6)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (Word 7)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Recent cilantro for garnish
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Warmth 2 tablespoons olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. (Word 8)
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Add hen, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon cumin.Sear for 3-4 minutes till evenly browned. The hen will end cooking within the rice later. (Word 9)
1½ lbs boneless, skinless hen thighs
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Stir in 1 cup basmati rice (raw), 2 cups hen broth, 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.Carry to a mild simmer, stir as soon as to forestall sticking, then cowl and prepare dinner over medium-low warmth for quarter-hour with out lifting the lid. (Word 10)After quarter-hour, examine the rice. If any liquid stays, uncover and simmer for 1-2 minutes till totally absorbed.
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Stir in 1 cup canned black beans and 1 cup frozen corn gently. (Word 11)
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Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese evenly excessive, cowl, and take away from warmth. Let sit for two minutes till melted.
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Squeeze recent lime juice over the dish.Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve heat.
- Boneless, skinless hen thighs will keep additional juicy, however hen breasts work simply as nicely. Reduce into even-sized items for even cooking.
- Lengthy-grain white rice works greatest. We used basmati. Keep away from instantaneous rice or brown rice, as they require completely different liquid ratios and cooking instances. For fluffier rice, rinse underneath chilly water till the water runs clear, then drain nicely earlier than including.
- Use low-sodium broth should you choose to regulate salt.
- One minced chipotle offers medium warmth – modify to style. Chipotle powder is a milder, smoky various.
- Draining and rinsing removes extra sodium. If utilizing home made beans, use about ¾ cup cooked beans.
- No have to thaw. It is going to warmth by within the skillet. Canned corn (drained) can be utilized as an alternative.
- Monterey Jack melts easily, whereas cheddar provides a sharper taste. A mixture of each is nice!
- Use a 12-inch skillet or bigger to forestall overcrowding.
Hen cooking tip: If utilizing thicker hen items, allow them to prepare dinner for an additional minute earlier than including the rice. - Rice cooking tip: Preserve the lid on! Lifting it releases steam and impacts prepare dinner time. If liquid stays after quarter-hour, let it prepare dinner uncovered for just a few additional minutes.
- Stir gently to keep away from breaking the rice.
Energy: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 41g | Fats: 15g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 8g | Trans Fats: 0.03g | Ldl cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 1340mg | Potassium: 778mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 4mg
Servings: 4 servings
Energy: 529kcal
