This One Pot Salsa Chicken and Rice is an easy, one pot, winner winner chicken dinner! It’s loaded with flavor and juicy chicken, rice and salsa!
Who’s ready to spice up their Tuesday??
If you raised your hand, then get ready because this One Pot Salsa Chicken and Rice is a winner, winner chicken dinner!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Recipes made with chicken thighs are always a winner. They turn out moist and delicious every time.
Can you ever really have enough one pot meals in your arsenal?
This dish is loaded with flavor!
I made this chicken dish a few weeks back and Tom and I really, really enjoyed it. The fajita seasoning on the chicken and the added salsa in the dish give it so much flavor. And what’s even better?? It’s a one pot meal that’s so easy to make and even easier to clean up!
I made some homemade fajita seasoning, but you could also use store-bought if you have a favorite. Just make sure if you use a store-bought that it’s just the dry spices, not the packet where you also add water.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- chili powder
- cumin
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- oregano
- salt
- pepper
- granulated sugar
- cayenne
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- butter
- yellow onion
- red and yellow bell peppers
- garlic
- all-purpose flour
- long grain rice
- low-sodium chicken broth
- salsa
- limes
- fresh cilantro
Step-By-Step Instructions
The first step is to combine all the ingredients for your fajita seasoning in a small bowl and mix together until well blended.
Next up, sprinkle both sides of the chicken thighs evenly with the fajita seasoning and then add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until chicken is browned and no longer pink. You’ll remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
To the same skillet, melt your butter and add your onion, peppers and salt. Reduce the heat and add the garlic and flour followed by the rice, chicken broth and salsa and bring to a boil. Once the mixture starts boiling, lower the heat and simmer, covered until rice is tender, about 15 minutes.
Add the chicken and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through and rice is tender. Squeeze in the lime juice and add salt and pepper to taste. Top with the chopped cilantro, if desired.
Hoping you guys give this easy, one pot dish a try. It’s one of those go-to’s for those busy weeknights, that everyone is sure to enjoy! And thinking way ahead to Cinco de Mayo, this dish would be perfect with a tasty margarita on the side!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for One Pot Salsa Chicken and Rice
I used a medium salsa for this recipe, but if you like things spicier use a hot, or if you enjoy things not as spicy, use a mild salsa.
I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe to keep the calories down. If you’re not a fan of dark chicken meat, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You’ll just need to cook them a bit less so they don’t dry out.
You can add the 1/4 teaspoon cayenne to your fajita seasoning if you like a spicier seasoning, or just omit if you don’t.
You won’t use all the fajita seasoning for the dish, so just store any remaining seasoning in an airtight container in your spice cabinet.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Enjoy
One Pot Salsa Chicken and Rice
Print RecipeIngredients
Fajita Seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne, if desired
Salsa Chicken and Rice Dish
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tbsp. fajita seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup red pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup yellow pepper, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
- 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped, if desired
Instructions
Fajita Seasoing
- In a small bowl, combine all seasoning ingredients. Whisk together until well blended. Store in an airtight container.
Salsa Chicken and Rice Dish
- Add the olive oil to a large, deep skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken thighs evenly with the fajita seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until chicken is browned and no longer pink. Chicken should have an internal temp of 165 degrees F. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- To the same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, peppers and salt and cook for three minutes, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic and flour cook for an additional one minute, stirring often. Add the rice, chicken broth and salsa and bring to a boil. Once the mixture starts boiling, lower the heat and simmer, covered until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chicken and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through and rice is tender. Squeeze in the lime juice and add salt and pepper to taste. Top with the chopped cilantro, if desired.
You had me at one-pot! I love dinners like this that come together in one pot and when you’re done, you have dinner complete! Such great flavours going on here, too :)
Thanks Jennifer! This one is definitely a busy weeknight game changer!
This spicy, saucy chicken and rice is literally making my mouth water! Love that it’s weeknight easy. Definitely adding to our week’s menu!
Dinner doesn’t get much easier Marissa! Or tastier! Thanks!
Oh no! Did the bottle break, too? That sounds like something I would do, haha! You’ve got such a delicious looking dinner here Mary Ann!! Glad to hear you had a nice quiet weekend :)
No, it didn’t because my big fat toe broke its fall. My toe is still purple Katherine! Thanks!