Southwestern Chicken and Rice

Name: Southwestern Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
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; Freshly chopped cilantro; Chopped diced green onion

Southwestern Chicken and Rice takes your favorite classic chicken and rice dish and spices it up with Southwestern flavors.

Prep10 min
Cook20 min
Total30 min
Makes4 servings
Calories551

Ingredients

4 servings

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

Method

1
Cook the rice according to the package and set aside.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.