Description
Homemade Pollo Loco is a delicious and flavorful chicken and rice dish featuring tender strips of seasoned chicken cooked to golden perfection and served over aromatic tomato-infused rice. Topped with creamy store-bought queso cheese, this recipe brings a comforting and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 pounds chicken, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
For the Rice:
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups white rice
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons Knorr tomato bouillon with chicken flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional:
- Store-bought queso cheese for topping (about 1 cup or as desired)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken into strips and pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. In a bowl, season the chicken strips evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Rub the spices well into the chicken for full flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown on the outside and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Use a thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Make the Rice: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Stir in vegetable oil, Knorr tomato bouillon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until combined. Add the white rice, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot with a lid, and cook for about 25 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Plate the cooked rice evenly on serving plates and top with the golden chicken strips, distributing the protein evenly.
- Add the Creamy Queso Topping: Drizzle the store-bought queso cheese generously over the chicken and rice. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the creamy, savory finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with the spices for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot for the rice to avoid burning and ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute white rice with brown rice, but cooking time will need to be extended.
- Adjust seasoning levels according to your taste preference, especially salt and bouillon.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
