Description
Pollo Loco is a flavorful Mexican-inspired chicken and saffron yellow rice dish cooked with tender, seasoned chicken breast and creamy white queso dip, creating a comforting and hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1.5 lbs uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp Goya Adobo Seasoning
Rice and Broth
- 1 10 oz pkg Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice (Arroz Amarillo)
- 1 cube Knorr Tomato Bouillon (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups water
Cheese Mixture
- 3 oz White Queso Dip*
- 2 tbsp milk (skim, 1%, 2%, or whole)
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: If the chicken seems wet, pat it dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with the adobo seasoning and rub it in evenly all over.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or non-stick large deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook undisturbed on one side for about 3 minutes until browned, then turn and continue cooking for a few more minutes until fully cooked and browned.
- Add Rice and Broth: Once the chicken is cooked and browned, add the package of saffron yellow rice, crumble in the tomato bouillon cube (if using), and pour in 2½ cups of water. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil over medium heat for about one minute.
- Simmer Rice: Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid (ensure no steam vent hole), and let cook for at least 20 minutes. Check the rice after 20 minutes for doneness; it should be fully cooked by 20 to 25 minutes.
- Finish with Queso and Milk: When the rice is cooked through, stir in the white queso dip and the milk. Fluff everything together gently with a fork until creamy and well combined.
- Serve Warm: Serve the Pollo Loco warm. Enjoy as a hearty and comforting meal.
Notes
- Serving size is based on nutritional details and Weight Watchers points: 1.5 cups per serving.
- Weight Watchers Points: 8 per serving.
- Note about rice cooking: Some users experience crunchy rice due to lids with a steam vent hole causing evaporation; covering or sealing the hole eliminates this issue.
- Tip: When cutting chicken into small pieces, cut against the grain for tenderness.
- Where to find queso dip: Usually found in the ‘fancy cheese’ section or refrigerated dairy section near tortillas, chorizo, and crema. Avoid shelf-stable cheese dips for best flavor.
- If queso dip is unavailable, try checking local Mexican restaurants for takeout queso dip.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 369
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 5.8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43.3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
