This one pan pollo con queso is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! You can have this kid-friendly keto recipe on the table in 20 minutes.
We are big lovers of two things in this house: flavorful Mexican food and quick one-pan dinners. This pollo con queso fits both of those perfectly, so it’s one we have literally dozens of times a year! I experimented with making the perfect queso sauce (while keeping things low-carb and cost effective), and this cheesy chicken dish makes all the effort worth it. Considering how simple and quick this is, you’re going to be blown away when you realize it tastes just as good (if not better!) than the beloved restaurant version!
Can’t get enough? Try our smoked queso recipe or chorizo queso!
What is Pollo con Queso?
Pollo con Queso is a popular Mexican dish that literally translates to “chicken with cheese.” Often it’s served with rice (“arroz con queso”), but to keep things keto, we’re sticking with tender chicken pieces and a delicious cheesy sauce! If you’d like to add rice but stay low carb, try adding this Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice — It packs a huge punch of flavor, cooks quickly, and only adds about 4 net carbs per serving.
Chicken con Queso Ingredients:
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need. Keep scrolling to the printable recipe card for exact measurements!
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you could use thighs or tenders. These will be cut into bite-sized pieces to help the recipe cook quickly.
- Olive oil and Spices – Chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper
- Dairy: Cream cheese, Pepper jack cheese, White American cheese, and Heavy whipping cream
- Green chiles: I used mild, but you can use hot if you love spicy food.
How to make Pollo con Queso
This is a very simple recipe, and it is perfect for beginner cooks because there aren’t a ton of steps! The finished result, though, is super satisfying.
- Season & cook chicken. Mix the spices together in a small bowl while a large skillet warms up over medium heat. Add your olive oil to the pan, then pour in your chicken pieces once it’s hot. Sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken and stir to coat evenly. Brown the chicken 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside for now.
- Make the sauce. Reduce the heat to low. Add the green chilis, cream cheese, and heavy cream to the pan, stirring to make a smooth sauce. Sprinkle in the shredded cheese a half-cup at a time, continuously stirring. If you prefer a thinner sauce, stir in a little extra heavy cream or milk until it’s the perfect consistency for you.
- Stir it all together. Add the browned chicken pieces back to the skillet, stirring to coat each piece in the queso sauce. Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Pollo con Queso
We most often round out this dish with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice and our favorite low-carb tortillas (These Zucchini Keto Tortillas only add 1.2 net carbs and can be made in large batches then frozen for convenience). Everyone adds their own twist to the dish with pickled jalapenos, a simple salsa recipe (or salsa verde), diced avocado, chopped tomatoes, etc. Unexpected side dish idea: smashed brussels sprouts… These are SO good dipped in the queso!
If you are not keto, you could serve these with your favorite Mexican rice dish, black beans, and tortillas.
Can I make Pollo con Queso ahead of time?
Yes, this would be a simple meal to make ahead of time! You can cook the entire dish up to 3 days before serving, then reheat in a covered skillet. If reheating over the stove, make sure to stir often while reheating to prevent any parts from burning. You could also place the covered skillet in the oven at 350 degrees F and allow to warm up for about 10 minutes.
You could even serve this as a part of a dinner buffet! Transfer the cooked pollo con queso to a slow cooker and keep on ‘warm’ so that people can serve themselves. If you shred the chicken, you can even turn it into a dip!
How many carbs are in Pollo con Queso?
This one-pan keto dish has just 2.7 net carbs per serving! This super low-carb meal makes it easier to stick to your keto lifestyle, even if you want to add a low-carb tortilla, some garnishes, or some cauliflower rice.
More Popular Recipes:
- Keto Enchiladas
- Butternut Squash Pasta
- Tomato Recipes
- Green Beans with Bacon
- Blackberry Crisp Recipe
Keto Pollo Con Queso Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into bite sized cubes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
Keto Queso
- 1 4-ounce can mild green chiles
- 1/4 cup heavy cream + more for thinning if needed.
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup white American Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Combine all of the spices in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet to medium heat.
- Add the cubed chicken to the hot skillet and sprinkle with the spices. Toss to coat the chicken evenly on all sides. Brown the chicken 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the green chiles, cream cheese, heavy cream, add the shredded cheese in small increments (about 1/2 cup at a time). Continuously stir the queso as the cheese melts until all the cheese has been used. Add additional heavy cream or milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and toss in the queso. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This dish was a big hit with the family. I’ll be making it again with beef and shrimp. Yummy!