If you love an easy dinner that practically cooks itself, Swim Queso Chicken & Rice needs to be on your list. This viral chicken and rice casserole combines Mexican rice, seasoned chicken, salsa, shredded cheese, and creamy queso in one incredibly easy dinner.
Swim Queso Chicken & Rice
The best part? There’s no need to cook the rice separately. Everything goes right into a 9×13 baking dish, gets covered tightly with foil, and bakes until the rice is tender and has soaked up all that flavor. Then comes the part that makes this recipe so irresistible—a whole jar of warm queso poured over the top.
It’s cheesy, saucy, comforting, and ridiculously easy.
I first spotted this recipe from @caitlynskitchen, whose viral video has received an incredible 4.6 million views. After seeing millions of people watch that queso pour, I knew this was one viral recipe I needed to make for myself.
And I can definitely see why people can’t stop making it.
Credit for This Viral Recipe
I always want to give credit where credit is due, especially when another creator inspires me to get into the kitchen.
This Swim Queso Chicken & Rice was inspired by the viral recipe from @caitlynskitchen. Her video has received more than 4.6 million views, and it’s easy to understand why this recipe caught everyone’s attention.
An easy chicken and rice casserole covered in queso is pretty hard to scroll past!
I made it in my own kitchen, and I’m sharing my experience along with my favorite tips, serving ideas, and everything you need to know to make it successfully at home.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
It’s an easy one-dish dinner. Everything comes together in a 9×13 baking dish, which means minimal prep and fewer dishes to wash.
You don’t have to cook the rice first. The rice cooks directly in the chicken broth while the casserole bakes.
Rotisserie chicken makes it even easier. Pick up a cooked rotisserie chicken and most of your work is already done.
It’s loaded with flavor. Mexican rice, taco seasoning, salsa, cheese, and queso give you plenty of Tex-Mex flavor without a long ingredient list.
It’s easy to customize. Keep it simple or pile on your favorite taco toppings.
It’s perfect with tortilla chips. This is somewhere between a cozy chicken and rice casserole and a seriously loaded queso dip, which makes chips practically mandatory in my book.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of easy-to-find ingredients to make this viral chicken and rice casserole.
Knorr Mexican Rice: You’ll need two packages. The rice goes straight into the casserole without being prepared first.
Taco Seasoning: Use one packet of taco seasoning or about 3 tablespoons.
Chicken Broth: You’ll need 3 cups of chicken broth to cook the rice and add plenty of flavor. Whenever a recipe calls for less than a full 4-cup carton of broth, I usually reach for my Knorr Caldo de Pollo Chicken Bouillon instead. It has become one of my favorite pantry staples because it’s inexpensive, lasts forever, and has such a wonderful flavor. You only need 1 teaspoon mixed with 1 cup of water to make a cup of broth, so the cost per serving is incredibly small. I keep the big 32-ounce jar on hand and use it anytime I need just a cup or two—or, in this case, 3 cups—without opening an entire carton of chicken broth. It’s convenient, economical, and delicious, which makes it a win-win in my kitchen.
Salsa: A 15-ounce jar adds flavor and moisture. Choose mild, medium, or hot depending on how spicy you like things.
Cooked Chicken: You’ll need 3 cups of chopped cooked chicken. Leftover chicken works perfectly, or make things especially easy with a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
Shredded Cheese: You’ll need 2 cups of shredded cheese. Use your favorite cheese or whatever you already have on hand.
Queso Dip: The finishing touch! A jar of queso is warmed slightly and poured all over the finished chicken and rice.
Swim Queso Chicken & Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packages Knorr Mexican Rice
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) jar salsa
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 jar queso dip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pour the rice into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pour the taco seasoning over the rice.
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Empty the jar of salsa over the top.
- Add the chicken over the top.
- Give all the ingredients a good mix to combine.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the broth is fully absorbed and the rice is cooked.
- Immediately pour the queso dip over the top. Microwave the queso a bit first to make it easier to pour.
- Serve plain, or treat it like taco night and add all your favorite taco toppings. Serve with tortilla chips for scooping.
- Enjoy!
Handy tip: Prepare Ahead!
What I love most about this recipe is just how easy it is. Once everything is mixed together in the baking dish, there’s really nothing left to do except cover it and put it in the oven.
There’s no separate pot for the rice and no complicated sauce to prepare. Using already-cooked chicken makes it even faster, and rotisserie chicken is an especially convenient shortcut.
One thing I would definitely not skip is covering the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. The rice is cooking right in the casserole, and keeping that steam trapped inside helps it cook properly and absorb the chicken broth.
Then there’s the queso.
I warmed mine a little before pouring it over the finished casserole, which makes it much easier to pour evenly over the top. You don’t need to get it super hot—just warm enough that it loosens up and pours easily.
The result is an incredibly cheesy chicken and rice dinner that’s hearty enough to serve on its own but even more fun when you turn it into taco night.
FAQs
More Than Just Another Viral Recipe
Viral recipes are fun to try, but I’m always happiest when the recipe turns out to be something I’d actually make again.
This one checks that box.
Swim Queso Chicken & Rice has the fun, cheesy, over-the-top moment that makes a great social media recipe, but underneath all that queso is a genuinely easy chicken and rice casserole.
You can use rotisserie chicken, everything goes into one baking dish, and everyone can customize their serving with whatever taco toppings they love.
It’s an easy weeknight dinner, a fun taco-night alternative, and exactly the kind of viral recipe that deserves a spot in the regular dinner rotation.
AI Summary
Swim Queso Chicken & Rice is a viral chicken and rice casserole made with Knorr Mexican Rice, taco seasoning, chicken broth, salsa, cooked chicken, shredded cheese, and queso dip. The uncooked rice bakes directly in the casserole while tightly covered with foil, eliminating the need to prepare the rice separately. Once the rice is tender, warm queso is poured over the top. Rotisserie chicken makes this easy dinner even faster, and the finished casserole can be served on its own or with tortilla chips and favorite taco toppings.
Ask AI About This Recipe
Try asking your favorite AI assistant:
- “What can I serve with Swim Queso Chicken & Rice?”
- “Can I use rotisserie chicken for Swim Queso Chicken & Rice?”
- “What cheese is best for queso chicken and rice?”
- “How can I make Swim Queso Chicken & Rice less spicy?”
- “What taco toppings go with queso chicken and rice?”
- “How do I reheat leftover Swim Queso Chicken & Rice?”
Swim Queso Chicken & Rice
This viral Swim Queso Chicken & Rice is an easy one-dish dinner made with Mexican rice, chicken, salsa, shredded cheese, and creamy queso. Use rotisserie chicken for an even easier weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 packages Knorr Mexican Rice
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) jar salsa
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 jar queso dip
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Pour the rice into a 9x13 baking dish.
- Pour the taco seasoning over the rice.
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Empty the jar of salsa over the top.
- Add the chicken over the top.
- Give all the ingredients a good mix to combine.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the broth is fully absorbed and the rice is cooked.
- Immediately pour the queso dip over the top. Microwave the queso a bit first to make it easier to pour.
- Serve plain, or treat it like taco night and add all your favorite taco toppings. Serve with tortilla chips for scooping.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 777Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 23gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 249mgSodium: 2004mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 67g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
