Red Chili Chicken and Rice

Red Chili Chicken and Rice is a simple chicken and rice dish with classic Mexican flavors. A filling healthy meal quick enough for weeknights.

Monday I posted about Pioneer Woman’s delicious Restaurant Style Salsa, so today I will post a recipe that I served to go with the salsa (wait, shouldn’t it be the other way around?!)

I first saw this Rick Bayless recipe on Elly’s blog. Rick Bayless is a celebrity in Chicago, and most Chicagoans are proud to have such a talented and decorated chef practice his craft here. I’ve been to Frontera several times, on one visit Rick was there meeting with the staff. I’ve also been to his Mexican street food restaurant XOCO, and he happened to be there quality control taste-testing the drinks! I’d love to try Topolobampo sometime. Last time I called they were booked for 6 weeks!

I quickly bookmarked this recipe when Elly posted it, and then I saw that Annie recommended it as well, so I knew I’d love it. It’s been on my ‘to make’ list for a long time, but for some reason I kept moving it. I finally realized I had all the ingredients one night and went for it – it’s fabulous!!! I have a weird relationship with black beans, so I left them out. The ingredient list is simple, but the components combine together perfectly to make a very tasty dish. If you want to make this a little less healthier, you could even top it with some cheese and sour cream – not sure what Mr. Bayless would say about that, but he’ll never know!

Gluten Free Red Chili Chicken and Rice

This dish is naturally gluten free!

Looking for More Mexican and Tex/Mex Recipes?

Check out these favorites:
Panera Chile Lime Ranch Dressing
Panera Southwest Chile Lime Ranch Salad with Chicken
Chicken Street Tacos – Costco Copycat
Turkey Tacos
Grilled Chicken Fajitas
Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Chicken Mexican Pizzas
Chicken Enchiladas with Red Chili Sauce
Pico de Gallo Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas
Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls
Layered Taco Dip
Jalapeno Popper Dip
Mexican Rice
Chicken Tortilla Soup

And for dessert . . .
Tres Leches Coconut Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Buttercream
Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with Cheesecake Filling
Sweet Corn Tomalito – Chevy’s Copycat
Cinnamon Ice Cream
Easy Homemade Dulce de Leche
Samoa Cupcakes with Easy Dulce de Leche Buttercream

or see all of my Mexican recipes HERE.

Red Chile Chicken and Rice

Meghan

Red Chili Chicken and Rice is a simple chicken and rice dish with classic Mexican flavors. A filling healthy meal quick enough for weeknights.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexcian

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 1/4 tablespoons ancho chili powder (divided, see note)
• 1/2 medium onion (large dice)
• 1/2 cup rice
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 7.5 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (roots and wilted outer leaves removed before chopping)
• salsa (for serving)

Instructions

 

• Heat the oil in a medium heavy pot (with a lid) over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breast with salt and 1/2 tablespoon of the ancho chili powder. Place chicken in the hot oil and brown on each side, 2 – 3 minutes. Remove to a place, leaving behind as much oil as possible.
• Add the onion and rice to the pot. Stir for several minutes, until the rice turns from translucent to opaque. Add the garlic and the remaining 3/4 tablespoon ancho chili powder. Cook one minute, and then add the broth and salt to taste. Stir well.
• When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
• Cut the chicken breast into 1″ pieces. Add them to the pot along with the beans, if using. Recover and cook 12 minutes longer.
• Sprinkle the green onions and test a kernel of rice. It should have no more than a hint of chalkiness in the center, in which case you place the cover back on, remove it from the heat and let stand 5 – 10 minutes. If it’s not cooked, cook for another 5 minutes or so (at this point I added a tad more chicken broth because I think my pan was too big and the added surface area caused more of the liquid to evaporate; if you use the right size pan this should be fine).
• Fluff the mixture with a fork and serve with salsa.

Notes

Regular chili powder is fine.

Source: Adapted from Elly Says Opa!, originally from Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless

You’re Gonna Bake It After All

bakeitafterall.com

Keyword chicken, gluten free, main dish, mexican