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 happened onto your site yesterday and am so pleased to have found you – I used the Black Diamond extra sharp cheese with the Rotels and my husband and I were delighted! This is a keeper! Thanks!
Denita – you can use a can of diced tomatoes and a small can of green chilies.
Do you have any suggestions of what can be used in replace of the rotel? So many of your recipes call for rotel but we cannot get it in Canada and this looks DELISH!!!
Looks great!!! Any idea on how many calories per serving?
Looks great!!! Any idea on how many calories per serving?
Kristen – can you find Lawry's mesquite marinade? You can also use a packet of McCormick's Mesquite marinate mix.
I really want to try this but I can't find the marinade, what else could I use?
Totally with you about nearly licking my plate…that sauce is so good with the chicken and orzo! I made a double batch of the orzo, and spiced with 1 1/2 t chili powder, 1/2 t smoked paprika. I also baked my chicken in the oven – 350 for about 30 minutes. Delicious…new favorite in our house!!
MJ – so glad you liked it – this and Pollo Loco are two of my all-time favorite chicken recipes
This recipe is so good, except instead of orzo I made the rice from your "Pollo Loco" recipe and it was a huge success! I will definitely make this again!
This looks uh-mazing! I'm making this tonight! I think I'll dice up some green bell pepper and toss in with the orzo.
I'm making this tonight. But I am adding chorizo sausage in there… maybe in the orzo! Everything else is staying the same! Can't wait to try it!
Made this for dinner with a couple of changes (because of poor planning on my part). We chunked up chicken breast and put it in with the stock so it could cook with the orzo. I also added just a little bit of cumin. No Velveeta so we covered it with some store bought queso. Definitely a new family favorite!
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I literally just finished eating this dish. I really liked it! My boyfriend, on the other hand, can't get over how good it was! He said this is his favorite dish that I have made so far! So thank you to you for posting this! This recipe will be made on a regular basis!
Just made this last night and it was delicious! I broiled the chicken because it was too cold to grill outside and I don't have and indoor grill. Thanks for this recipe, it was easy to make and my fiance and I both loved it. I will absolutely be making it again!!