Apr 07 2010
Southwest Chicken & Rice – One Pot Meal!
When it comes to weeknight dinners, I try to make something quick and easy that doesn’t require a lot of crazy ingredients – especially when I cook without Daniel’s supervision. So the reason why I decided to make Southwest Chicken & Rice is actually really silly… we happened to have a ton of ripe avocados from our neighbor’s tree and thought it would be good to add to a chicken dish. Yes, one measly ingredient that I turned into a huge party in a pot. Luckily, I had everything else in the fridge & cupboard that I wanted to get rid of, so this meal worked wonderfully. Since I get to work from home, I was able to prepare this for Daniel and I before he got home from work, so that we were able to enjoy the rest of our day doing other things – like exercising and gardening.
What makes this “Southwest” is probably the corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeno, and avocados that I used. Of course, beans could be an option too, but I am not a fan of beans. The chicken was sprinkled with cumin and salt and cooked in the same pot as the vegetables along with chicken broth and rice. This is yet another complete meal that satisfies the protein, carbs, and fiber portion of your diet. It only takes about 30 minutes of your time and you’ve got dinner on the table. And as for dessert? Fruit, of course.
In a large pot (like a dutch oven), saute 1 chopped onion, 2 tbsp chopped jalapeno, and 1 cup bell peppers until tender.
Add 1 1/4 cups chicken broth and 1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained). Bring this to a boil and add 1 cup uncooked long grain rice.
I used 1 lb. of skinless and boneless chicken thighs (and removed as much fat as possible...ew). But you can use chicken breast halves instead. Sprinkle cumin, salt, and pepper on both sides.
The chicken is placed inside the pot, along with 1/2 cup of corn. Cover the pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through. Then, let the liquid evaporate to thicken the ingredients.
See how colorful this dish is?? You get the beautiful orange, red, and yellow from the vegetables - not to mention green from the avocados! (Eat the rainbow, right?) The rice is cooked in the pot so it's full of flavor with a nice spicy heat from the jalapenos, and the seasoned chicken has some melted mozzarella cheese on top. This meal is dressed to impress! I love one-pot meals because I don't have to do a lot of dishes! Efficiency at it's best. 
To view or print-out this recipe, click here: Southwest Chicken & Rice
This looks like a very flavorful and colorful meal to try. Can you post more “one pot meals” for future recipes?
Looks delicious, thanks!
P.S. I think it’s supposed to be “taste the rainbow” ^_^
Deeeee—lish. Can’t wait to make this, and I LOVE spanish influenced foods!
Yum! Sounds fantastic can’t wait to try.
Sandy – yes I’ll try to do more one-pot meals!
Peter – well, I hope you get to try it! and PS… I actually did mean eat the rainbow, because that’s what they tell you to do to be healthy. Taste the rainbow is the Skittles slogan. Hehe.
Sherrill – I gotta do more Spanish-inspired cooking, then!
Connie – it’s easy and tasty. give it a try!
Great recipe! My bf loves stews – I’ll make this one for him
. Thanks!
That’s great! I usually use my rice cooker to make these kind of mixed rices and then you really don’t have to watch a thing!
Yes, the colors in that are seriously appetizing! Wow!
what a bright and festive looking dish! beautifully done.
wat a colorful gorgeous dish!!!!
I love the color of this one pot meal. Looks so delicious!
30 minutes for such a huge pot of goodness! love the touch of avocados and jalapenos
What creativity….and healthy too. Will definitely be trying this recipe.
Yum! This sounds awesome. This is my kind of food. Consider this post bookmarked!
oh man…I am so wanting a big mounding plate of that chicken ‘n rice! I am low-carbing right now to try to lose the muffin top before swimsuit season. Rice is practically off limits right now. I guess the veggies and chicken and avocado on a salad could work…ah nah. Who am I fooling? Comfort food isn’t a salad! I’ll have to lick the screen instead…
cakebrain – you are so funny. i should listen to you and do low-carb too… summer’s around the corner and it’s bikini season!! aaagh! i’m trying to cut back my portions, too. sometimes its just too damn hard. but i think the chicken/veggies/avocado combo in a salad could be quite tasty!
This looks so good! I love rice dishes! This reminds me of a home style red beans and rice dish I used to love as a kid. I can practically smell the delicious flavours wafting from your Southwest chicken rice!
You have my vote for your one pot dish : ).
i will try this recipe. it looks yummy plus less dishes to clean always gets my vote
cheers!
The one pot technique is smart. Making a beauty of a meal is great, but it’s not fun when there’s a kitchen full of dishes!
This looks delicious, healthy and easy. One pot, easy clean-up, happy me!
That’s such a delicious and healthy one pot meal. I would like that….easy to serve and eat
oh, what i wouldn’t give for a ton of ripe avocados. this looks delicious–all my favorite ingredients combined into one easy-peasy feast.
Gotta love one-pot meals… especially one with southwestern flavors! This meal looks fantastic.
Cool…got to try this recipe out on this coming weekend! Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day. Cheers.
Perfect!! Great for outdoor summer days.
One pot meal? Southwest dish? ….You’re after my own heart!
Awesome recipe! I love the corn and avocado additions, yum!
This looks very good. I like finding new easy weeknight meals. This is on the “to cook” list.
This is a sure winner! I always say that good fast food is a chicken and rice one-pot dish.
You are right.. it’s looks great. I would love to try this myself. Thanks!
most excellent weeknight meal!
This sounds like a fantastic meal! I love the avocado that you have on top, I bet it goes great with the chicken, peppers, and cools down the heat of the jalapenos
I would brown the chicken with the fat on to get some browning, some shmaltz, and fond. Set chicken aside before fully cooked. Then the veggies, then…. return chicken to pot.
Delicious meal, and minimal washing up! Sold! You are so lucky to have a glut of avocados.
This looks like an awesome one pot meal! I get really tired of lots of pots, so I will have to give your recipe a try.
Oh what a lovely meal! That looks so colorful and flavorful!
Great meal, those are the most convenient! all those great flavors combined together, yum
Ok…I heard you and seen it! You love fried rice including this
Love the colors of the one-dish meal.
wow, this looks great! i love all the colors!
I love that I have found this blog!! Great recipes! Posting you up today on my blog!! Sending you a little Link Love!
http://nobodyputsmamainacorner.blogspot.com/2010/04/favorite-food-blogs.html
I have almost NO one pot meals in My repertoire! I am so glad Foodbuzz re-instituted the send to my foodie friends feature and I could find this in my inbox! Thanks for sending it!
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog. I saw you featured on Nobody Puts Mama in the Corner’s blog. This sounds like a fabulous dish. i love one pot meals and this one has healthy comfort food written all over it! Thanks for sharing
This sounds like wonderful comfort food
This sounds like wonderful comfort food. Beautifully put together!
great one pot meal..perfect for a busy week
sweetlife
I love one pots…..slow cooking and colourful food. This is a winner for me, on 3 fronts, including cleaning up!
What a wonderful dish – and cooked all in one pot! I make a dish that’s similar but I brown the chicken first and use different veggies- I have to definitely try your recipe.
I love one pot meals…less cleanup & more time to enjoy the food! This looks great!
-Bianca
I love one pots…..slow cooking and colourful food. This is a winner for me, on 3 fronts, including cleaning up!
This recipe looks delicious! Can I use brown rice without altering any of the other ingredients? Adding black beans also sounds good…what do you think?
Thanks!
Hi Bettie,
Brown rice will work, but keep in mind it takes a lot longer to cook than regular white rice – check the cooking instructions on the rice. And yes, black beans would be great in this dish! Let us know if it works out for you! Thanks
I used trader joes brown rice medley (long grain brown rice, black barley, and daikon radish seeds). Black barley gave a hint of black beans. Yes, it takes longer to cook but it turned out fine. Next time, I’ll add a little saffron.