Southwestern Chicken and Rice takes your favorite classic chicken and rice dish and spices it up with Southwestern flavors. Brown rice, diced chicken, sautéed onion is mixed with salsa and cheese to create a comforting weeknight meal.
One of my most popular recipes on my site is my Mom’s Curried Chicken and Rice Casserole. I actually make that dish a lot in the winter for my family.
There is something very hearty and comforting about chicken and rice.
As the name says my Curried Chicken and Rice Casserole uses warm curry and turmeric to give it a nice flavor. Today’s Southwestern Chicken and Rice takes classic chicken and rice and adds Southwestern flavors to spice it up.
This recipe uses sautéed onions, brown or white rice and diced chicken mixed together with your favorite salsa and warm, gooey cheese.
During the week I am always looking for easy weeknight meals to make for my family and this Southwestern Chicken and Rice falls into that category. You can make this meal in under 30 minutes and the leftovers taste just as good as the first day you eat it.
If you like chicken recipes check mine out here. You might also like these Easy Baked Chicken Tenders, Chicken Lentil Soup, Chicken Sliders or these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
Why You’ll Love this Southwest Chicken and Rice
- Easy to Make: This casserole is easy to put together using a lot of ingredients you probably have on hand.
- Pantry Staples: You will use some simple ingredients from your pantry for this recipe. It mixes rice, vegetables, chicken, spices, corn and cheese to create a Southwestern inspired casserole.
- Great Leftovers: I think this casserole is even better the next day. The flavors really soak into the rice and it just tastes so good!
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
- Rice: I used brown rice in this casserole for a healthier grain but you can use any rice like white rice or jasmine rice.
- Vegetables: There are a lot of vegetables in this recipe. It mixes onion, corn and diced tomatoes. You could easily add in more vegetables like red bell pepper, green bell pepper or poblanos.
- Spices: The spice mixture is what brings all of the flavor to this dish. It mixes together cumin and chili powder.
- Chicken: I used chicken breasts for this recipe but any cut of chicken will work. To save time try using rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken.
- Salsa: Salsa helps add Southwest flavor to the casserole. Use your favorite store-bought salsa or you can try my Homemade Salsa or even my Salsa Verde.
How to Make this Southwestern Chicken Rice Casserole
Step 1: Cook the Vegetables: Cook the rice according to the package and set aside. In a large skillet heat the 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently.
Step 2: Add Chicken and Spices: Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes. Add the diced chicken and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the cumin and chili powder and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
Step 3: Add Salsa and Corn: Add the salsa, corn and cherry tomatoes, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 2 more minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes are soft. Add the rice and stir everything until combined.
Remove from the heat and add in the 1 cup of cheese, stirring everything together and letting sit until the cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with cilantro and green onions.
Recipe FAQ
You can but make sure that you use extra broth or water so the rice can soak it up as it cooks.
Long-grain white rice, basmati, or jasmine rice work well. Brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cooking time.
More Chicken Recipes
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Southwestern Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup brown rice , or you can use long grain white rice or jasmine rice
- 1/2 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 16 ounce jar of salsa
- 1 – 15 ounce can of corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese {or cheese of your choice}, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garnishes:
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Chopped diced green onion
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to the package and set aside.
- In a large skillet heat the 2 Tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add the diced chicken and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the cumin and chili powder and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
- Add the salsa, corn and cherry tomatoes, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 2 more minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes are soft. Add the rice and stir everything until combined.
- Remove from the heat and add in the 1 cup of cheese, stirring everything together and letting sit until the cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with cilantro and green onions.
Notes
- The cook time for this recipe is 20 minutes because Della Brown Rice {or any of their rices} cook in 20 minutes. If you use a different brand of rice it will take longer {usually 40 minutes} to cook the rice.
- You can modify this dish to your tastes. It tastes good without the corn and cherry tomatoes if you want to make it very simple.
For extra protein try adding a can of black beans that have been drained and rinsed. - When choosing your salsa you can pick this according to your tastes-if you like spicy food then try using a spicy salsa. I have also tried a black bean and corn salsa before which is a nice addition.
- I used sharp cheddar cheese but try monterrey jack or a mild cheddar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Julia I made this recipe for dinner tonight it was an easy and tasty recipe. I added black beans to the recipe.
Great idea! Glad you liked it.
Raw brown rice takes at least 40 minutes to cook on top of the stove, so this is going to take closer to an hour unless you use a pressure cooker. However, that colander is wonderful, just what I need!
Yes you are right. The rice I used in this recipe cooks in 20 minutes {Della Rice} but most other brown rices take 40 minutes. I will mention that in the recipe.
Another great and easy meal! Love the flavors in this and that it’s super healthy!
Yes!! This is so easy. I make this at least once a month for the family.
Absolute comfort food, love it! Looks mouth-watering and I’d bet it’s just that delicious as it looks! I have to try this one out! – Love, Anna
I hope you like it! It is definitely comfort food!
This Southwestern rice dish looks incredible and packed with flavors 🙂
It sure is! Thanks.
Julia, this looks amazing! Can’t wait to make it for the family and try it – I know they are going to love it so much!! Thanks Julia ?✨
Thanks Bita! My family loved this dish so I hope yours does too! Let me know how it goes!
This looks and sounds delicious. I love that handy tomato cutter- how cool. I have always wanted a mandolin but I am terrified that I will slice my hand open. I work in an ER and I see it way too often, lol!
I have heard about that happening!! This one seems safer than other options as long as you are careful! And yes, that tomato cutter is so handy. Thanks!