Mexican Chicken and Rice is a fabulous Paleo dinner recipe. Made with super food cauliflower rice in place of starchy white rice, this one pot meal is packed with protein and spicy Mexican flavor. Cauliflower rice is easy to make and a fantastic low-carb swap in place of high-carb white rice.
Since I don’t eat grains, this faux rice is a real treat for me. My husband liked it too.
Mexican Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, finely diced
- 1 head cauliflower, trimmed
- 1 4 oz can diced green chilies
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, grilled and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- ground cumin, oregano, and chili powder to taste
- 1 avocado
- grated cheese, if desired
- salsa, if desired
Instructions
- In a 9 inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat
- Sauté onion over medium heat for 10 minutes, until soft
- Add celery to skillet and sauté for 5 minutes
- Place cauliflower in a food processor with the "S" blade and process until the texture of rice
- Add cauliflower to skillet, cover and cook 5-10 minutes, until soft
- Mix chilies and chicken into skillet
- Stir in salt, cumin, oregano and chili powder
- Serve, topping with avocado, cheese and salsa if desired
The idea for this Mexican Chicken and Rice came off of a low carb yahoo group in which I participate. That recipe was shared by a user named “glassmurf.” Her version used frozen cauliflower, 6 chicken breasts, plus cheese and tomato sauce, so as you can see, I took her basic idea and “Elanafied” it.
Rosa says
I really loved this recipe. It’s incredibly flavorful and yet so healthy! I love the combination of spices you chose as well. Instead of the canned chili peppers, I used one frozen green chili pepper, chopped up. I also added a bit of garlic just because I like the added nutritional value. I also opted out on the cheese and avocado because they weren’t necessary. This will be a good favorite for sometime. Thank you for offering such a delicious recipe that doesn’t leave me feeling guilty for eating!
katie h says
Elana – Thank you so much for posting and creating this recipe!! I was in need of something new to make and tried it a couple days ago. Not only was it very easy to make, it is soooo good! My mother and I made it and have been enjoying it together and we both LOVE it!!
Larry Sixon says
Thanks for that info, very interesting. I get bored of plain rice recipes but i’m not very skilled in the kitchen. There’s tonnes of easy ideas at this rice recipes homepage I found that your readers might find useful too.
Maria L says
Elana:
Made this last night for a dinner party- got great reviews & definitely a KEEPER.
Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer says
I made this tonight, turned out fantastic! I copied recipe, served with sour cream, pepper jack and salsa over top. Used 1 tsp cumin and 2 tsp oregano. Next time for my tastes, I will replace celery with bell peppers, use red onion instead of the yellow I used tonight. I will also add cilantro and squirt of lime at the end too. But great as is too. This was perfect for me, for the rest of my family I served this over brown rice too and they loved it! I am so stuffed, thanks for the great recipe.
Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer says
I had to come back and re-comment. I make this all the time. Tonight I added green chilies, red onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, paprika and jalepeno powder. Served over basmati rice for some of the family. Topped with Kerry Gold aged chedder, cultured sour cream, cilantro, green onions and lime juice. SO good, we all love it.
Erin says
Wow! This was incredible. My husband and I both really enjoyed this. Next time I may add cilantro, stuff it in a roasted poblano pepper and melt cheese on my husband’s or put on a little Mexican crema to top it off for a variation. Thanks Elana for another great recipe!
Robin Casey says
We just finished this dish. I had a friend over for dinner and she loved it. It was a huge hit and I feel great after eating it. Thank you!
Emily says
This was dinner tonight. Dinner got 6 out of 5 stars! Yes that is possible!! Both my husband and I agreed on this rating.
I haven’t been missing grain at all since cutting it out, but this dish made me feel so indulgent! The texture is quite similar to rice and the flavor is delicious! We were “mmm-ing” and “yumm-ing” all through the meal. I didn’t have celery so subbed a diced zucchini, used a fresh chili, both those subs worked out fine. I added blops of guacamole on top as well. We will be eating this one often! xoxo :-)
Christina says
This is the first recipe I’ve made from Elana, I made it last night and it was AMAZING, I can’t believe how much the cauliflower mimics rice! So easy and delicious. This is definitely a recipe I will be making often! Thanks Elana!
Marissa says
Elana, I am just curious if you can eat quinoa or buckwheat since they aren’t technically grains?