Description
A creamy, Mexican-inspired chicken and rice stew with roasted poblanos, tomatoes, corn, Monterey Jack, and cheddar.
Servings: 6
Prep: 20–30 minutes
Cook: 40–50 minutes
Total: Approximately 60–80 minutes, depending on roasting and preparation overlap
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 large poblanos, roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1 can diced green chiles, 4 ounces
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces, with juices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 6 cups chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ cup regular long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Roast poblanos under the broiler, turning until blistered, approximately 8–12 minutes. Steam covered for 10 minutes, then peel, seed, and chop.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion for 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add poblanos, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes, broth, and chicken. Bring just to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook until each breast reaches 165°F, approximately 15–25 minutes depending on thickness. Remove cooked chicken to a clean plate.
- Add rice to the broth. Simmer partially covered for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add hot broth if needed. Stir in corn during the final 5 minutes.
- Shred chicken and return to the pot. Add pepper and salt to taste.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream and warm gently. Add cheese a handful at a time over very low heat or off the burner, stirring until melted.
- Add cilantro and lime to taste. Adjust consistency with broth and serve with optional toppings.
Storage: Refrigerate promptly in shallow containers and use within 3–4 days. Reheat to 165°F, adding broth as needed.
Little tip: Cook the rice separately when making the stew for later meals. It keeps the broth easier to adjust and prevents the grains from absorbing most of the liquid during storage.