Queso Chicken And Rice

If you love an easy, cheesy dinner that requires almost no effort, this Swim Queso Chicken & Rice recipe needs to be on your weeknight dinner menu. This viral chicken and rice casserole is made with just a handful of simple ingredients and takes about five minutes of prep time before it goes into the oven.

Everything cooks together in one casserole dish, and the result is tender rice, flavorful shredded chicken, melty Mexican cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, and a creamy layer of queso baked right on top. It is cozy, comforting, and the kind of dinner the whole family can customize with their favorite toppings.

Serve it with tortilla chips, tortillas, avocado, sour cream, or your favorite Mexican-inspired sides for an easy dinner that feels like a lot more work than it actually is!

Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Rice Recipe

There are plenty of reasons this easy chicken and rice casserole has become such a favorite.

• Only five minutes of prep: Mix everything together, cover, and bake.
• One-dish dinner: Everything cooks in one casserole dish, which means fewer dishes to wash.
• Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry and refrigerator staples.
• Family-friendly: The cheesy, mild Mexican-inspired flavors are easy to customize.
• Perfect for busy nights: This is an excellent weeknight dinner when you don’t have much time to cook.
• Easy to customize: Add beans, corn, peppers, or extra toppings to make it your own.

Ingredients

• Uncooked Rice– Use 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice. The rice cooks directly in the casserole with the chicken broth, salsa, and other ingredients, making this recipe especially easy. For the best results, use regular uncooked white rice rather than instant or minute rice, since the cooking time and liquid requirements are different.
• Chicken Broth– You’ll need 3 cups of chicken broth. The broth provides the liquid needed to cook the rice while also adding extra flavor.
• Shredded Chicken– Add 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken. This is a great recipe for using leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply shred the chicken and add it straight to the casserole.
• Salsa– A small jar of salsa adds flavor, moisture, and a little bit of heat. You can use mild, medium, or hot salsa depending on your family’s preference.
• Taco Seasoning– One packet of taco seasoning gives the entire casserole that classic taco-inspired flavor without needing a long list of spices.
• Mexican Cheese- You’ll need 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese. Mexican blend cheese melts beautifully and gives the chicken and rice that irresistible cheesy texture.
• Queso– The star of the show is the small jar of queso poured over the casserole at the end. It creates a creamy, cheesy topping that takes this easy chicken dinner over the top.

How to Make Swim Queso Chicken & Rice

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
2. Grab a large casserole dish and add the uncooked rice, chicken broth, shredded chicken, salsa, taco seasoning, and shredded Mexican cheese.
3. Mix everything together until well combined.

1. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes.
2. Once the 45 minutes are up, carefully remove the casserole from the oven and take off the foil. Pour the queso evenly over the top.
3. Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the queso is warmed through and everything is hot and bubbly.
4. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite toppings and sides.

Tip: Because ovens and casserole dishes can vary, make sure the rice is tender and fully cooked before serving. If needed, give it a few additional minutes in the oven.

What to Serve With Chicken and Rice

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to turn it into a complete meal.

Serve your queso chicken and rice casserole with:

• Tortilla chips
• Warm flour or corn tortillas
• Sliced avocado
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo
• Fresh cilantro
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded lettuce
• Jalapeños
• Black beans
• Corn
• A simple side salad

I especially love serving it with avocado and a dollop of sour cream. The creamy, cool toppings are the perfect contrast to the warm, cheesy chicken and rice.

Easy Variations

Make It Spicy

Use hot salsa and spicy queso, or add diced jalapeños to the casserole before baking. You can also add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce when serving.

Add Black Beans

For extra protein and fiber, stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans before baking.

Add Corn

Sweet corn pairs really well with the taco seasoning, salsa, and queso. Add about 1 cup of drained canned corn or thawed frozen corn.

Add Vegetables

Diced bell peppers, green chiles, or onions are delicious additions. Just keep in mind that adding a lot of extra vegetables can change the moisture level and cooking time.

Use Rotisserie Chicken

This is one of my favorite shortcuts. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, shred about 2 cups of meat, and you’re ready to go.

Make It Extra Cheesy

If you really love cheese, add another handful of shredded Mexican cheese before pouring the queso over the top.

Storage

Allow leftover Swim Queso Chicken & Rice to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, place an individual portion in the microwave and heat until warmed through, stirring if needed. You can also reheat larger portions in a covered baking dish in the oven.

If the rice seems a little dry after refrigeration, add a splash of chicken broth before reheating.

For the best texture, I recommend storing leftovers promptly in the refrigerator rather than leaving the casserole at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I use cooked rice instead of uncooked rice?

This recipe was developed using uncooked rice, which cooks in the casserole with the chicken broth. If you substitute cooked rice, you will need to significantly reduce the amount of liquid and adjust the cooking time, so I recommend sticking with uncooked rice for the easiest results.

Can I use brown rice?

You can experiment with brown rice, but it generally requires more liquid and a longer cooking time than white rice. For the recipe as written, regular long-grain white rice is the best choice.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and makes this already easy dinner even faster.

What kind of salsa should I use?

Any jarred salsa you enjoy will work. Mild salsa is a great choice for families who don’t like much spice, while medium or hot salsa will give the casserole more heat.

Can I make this chicken and rice casserole spicy?

Yes! Use hot salsa, spicy queso, jalapeños, green chiles, or hot sauce to turn up the heat.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Because the recipe uses uncooked rice, I recommend baking it shortly after assembling rather than letting it sit for an extended period before baking. For an even easier dinner, you can have your chicken shredded and ingredients measured ahead of time.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

You can freeze the cooked casserole, although rice can change texture slightly after freezing and thawing. For best results, store it in an airtight freezer-safe container and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

The Easiest Cheesy Chicken Dinner

This easy queso chicken and rice casserole is proof that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. With just a few ingredients and about five minutes of prep, you can have a warm, cheesy, filling dinner baking in the oven.

Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight chicken dinner, a simple chicken and rice casserole, or a family-friendly Mexican-inspired dinner, this recipe checks all the boxes. Add your favorite toppings, grab some tortilla chips, and let everyone build their own perfect plate.

And honestly, anything topped with queso is a dinner I can get behind!