Description
Homemade Pollo Loco is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken strips cooked to perfection and served atop savory tomato-infused rice. Topped with creamy, melted queso cheese, this easy-to-make meal combines simple ingredients with bold spices to deliver a deliciously satisfying experience in just 45 minutes.
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 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 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. Season the chicken evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Rub the seasoning thoroughly into the chicken strips to ensure full flavor penetration.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips, cooking them while stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and caramelized on the outside. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure safe consumption.
- Make the Rice: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Stir in vegetable oil, Knorr tomato bouillon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the white rice, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 25 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender. Once cooked, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Plate the fluffy tomato-infused rice and top each serving with the cooked chicken strips, arranging them evenly for a balanced presentation.
- Add the Creamy Queso Topping: Drizzle your desired amount of store-bought queso cheese over the combined chicken and rice to add a rich, creamy finish that complements the dish’s savory flavors.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve better caramelization.
- You can substitute Knorr tomato bouillon with homemade or alternative bouillon for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust seasoning quantities to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Leftover chicken and rice can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- For a spicier twist, consider adding chili powder or cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
