Queso Smothered Chicken – Tex-Mex grilled chicken smothered in Queso and served over southwest seasoned orzo. SO quick and easy to make. This chicken is AMAZING! I wanted to lick my plate!!!
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Pin This RecipeYum-tastic! This was the best thing we ate last week. OMG – it was SO delicious. I wanted to lick my plate when I was done. I didn’t, but I really, really wanted to!
This dish is cousin to Pollo Loco. I used orzo instead of rice, and Rotel queso instead of white cheese dip. The orzo was so good. We both thought it was good enough on its own, but it really took the chicken over the top! This dish has a little kick from the Rotel queso. You can use mild Rotel if you don’t like spicy food. We both wished I had doubled the recipe. Put this on your menu ASAP!
Queso Smothered Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Lawry's Baja Chipotle 30 minute marinade or Mesquite
- 4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup orzo
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Southwest Seasoning or chili powder
- 1 (8-oz) package Velveeta, diced
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
Instructions:
- Pour Baja Chipotle Marinade over chicken and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight. When ready, grill chicken until done (165 degrees).
- While the chicken is grilling prepare the orzo.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add orzo. Cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Stir in Southwestern Seasoning or chili powder, tomato paste and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Combine diced tomatoes & green chiles (undrained) and Velveeta in a medium bowl. Heat on HIGH in the microwave in 30 second intervals until cheese is melted.
- To assemble the Queso Smothered Chicken – place ¼ of the orzo on a plate, top with grilled chicken. Pour 3-4 Tbsp cheese dip over chicken and orzo.
Steph
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I just made this receipe…OMG so good…I could not find Lawreys, so i used Mcormack Dry Marinade, and mixed it as instructed. I used Pampered Chef Southwest seasoning. I will make this again and you will not be dissappointed if you try this receipe..
I made this with a twist. I used queso cheese dip instead of velveeta. Grilled my chicken in a pan with taco seasoning on it instead of marinade. but the smothered chicken in the oven to heat up the cheese a little. This was a hit!!! Will definitely keep it in rotation.
so glad you enjoyed it!
Do you prepare the Orzo as per package directions and then go to step 3?
NO. The orzo will cook in step 3.
this looks really really good! did you use regular yellow or white cheese?
I used regular Velveeta cheese
I made this tonight, and Oh My Gosh! It was so good! I can’t wait to make it again for my son. He will love it!
So glad you enjoyed it! It is one of our favorites too.
Has anyone tried to make this in the INSTAPOT???
I was trying to figure out if I could do this in my crockpot. I have all the ingredients and with being gone for ball games I wondered if it could be put in my crockpot to cook and all I would have to do is make some Mexican rice when I got home. But didn’t know if anyone had tried it! My kids love rotel, chicken and the cheese. Sounds great just don’t know how to make it work
I was wondering the same thing! I was thinking that you could easily do it in the crockpot even if you just let your chicken cook maybe seasoned with taco seasoning until done and then you could just assemble your sauce and rice… I don’t see why that wouldn’t be just as good??? Thoughts anyone?
Absolutely delicious! Orzo was too expensive at my market, so I substituted rice. Soooooo yummy!
Absolutely delicious! Orzo was too expensive at my market, so I substituted rice. Soooooo yummy!
Made this for dinner tonight- so, so good! Used hot rotel since my boys like spicy, and it was really good. Taking leftovers for lunch tomorrow.