Arroz Con Pollo Y Camarones (Cheesy Chicken, Shrimp and Rice)
This Arroz Con Pollo Y Camarones (Cheesy Chicken, Shrimp and Rice) is my kids’ favorite thing to order when we eat at any Mexican restaurant. They have loved it since they were small and it is still their favorite to this day! It is called by many different names. I now know that it is also referred to as Alan Special, Stephen Special, Pollo Bandido, or even Chicken on the Beach. This is basically the same recipe as my Arroz Con Pollo recipe, but with shrimp and just a few minor tweaks! Both are delicious. And despite the number of steps and ingredients, this is a very simple dish to make! Even beginner cooks can tackle this one. So let’s get into it!
And check out these other great Mexican inspired recipes while you are here!
Quesaritos (Taco Bell Copycat)
Instructions
There are 3 steps to making this. It may seem like a lot, but I always say that if you prepare and get everything out and ready, also known as “mise en place”, preparation is a lot easier. And the steps are not difficult or time consuming! I will break each one down.
Start by toasting your uncooked long grain white rice (I used basmati) with a diced onion and minced garlic in some oil over medium high heat. This will take 5-6 minutes and you want to stir it continuously. The rice should have a nice caramel color to it.
Now you will add in the sazon and chicken flavored bouillon, plus the enchilada sauce and water. Bring it to a boil. Put the lid on, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. DO NOT STIR!!!!
Then you will take it off the heat, and let it sit for another 15 minutes. Again, DO NOT STIR! After 15 minutes, GENTLY stir it and you should have perfectly cooked rice!
While the rice is cooking, cut some boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) into small thin strips. Then rinse off your shrimp. Mix the seasonings together. (They are listed on the recipe card below.) Use a little more than half to season the chicken and the rest to season the shrimp. Add a small amount of oil to each to help the seasoning stick. Set those aside.
Next:
To make the cheese sauce, mix together evaporated milk, queso blanco velveeta, diced chilies, shredded pepper jack and some sazon in a sauce pan over low/medium heat. Stir constantly until all of the cheese is melted and it is a smooth consistency.
Lastly
Heat some oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken thoroughly, then remove it from the pan and set it aside. The chicken will cook rather quickly, about 4-5 minutes. Then add some more butter to the pan and cook the shrimp, being careful not to overcook them.
To assemble your Arroz Con Pollo Y Camarones (Cheesy Chicken, Shrimp and Rice), scoop some rice on the plate, followed by some chicken and shrimp. Then top it off with some of that amazing cheese sauce! It is great to eat just like this, but my kids prefer to stuff it in warmed up flour tortilla shells. Either way it is delicious!
If you do make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating! I love hearing from you and it helps so much! Thank you!
Arroz Con Pollo Y Camarones (Cheesy Chicken, Shrimp and Rice)
Ingredients
For The Rice
- 2 Cups Long Grain White Rice I used Jasmine
- 2 tbsp Cooking Oil I used Avocado Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion, Diced
- 4-5 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Chicken Bouillon
- 1 packet Sazon Seasoning
- 10 oz Can of Red Enchilada Sauce
- 4 Cups Water
For the Chicken And Shrimp
- 1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 lb Raw, Peeled, Deveined and tail off Large Shrimp
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Each Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder and Cumin
- 1 packet Sazon Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Each Salt and Pepper
For the Cheese Sauce
- 16 oz Queso Blanco Velveeta or any white American Cheese
- 12 oz Can of Evaporated Milk
- 7 oz Can of Diced Chilies
- 8 oz Grated Pepper Jack Cheese
Instructions
For the Rice
- In a skillet over medium/high heat, toast the rice, onion and garlic in the oil, stirring continuously for 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in the Sazon, the bouillon, the tomato sauce and the water. Bring to a boil. Put the lid on. Reduce heat to a simmer and let cook for 15 minutes. DO NOT STIR! (make sure it is on a very low heat setting so it doesn't burn).
- Take it off the heat, and let it sit for another 15 minutes and again DO NOT STIR. After 15 minutes, gently stir it and it should be perfectly cooked!
For the Cheese Sauce
- In a sauce pan add all of the ingredients listed and cook over low/medium heat, stirring constantly until all of the cheese is melted. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to thicken up.
For the Chicken and Shrimp
- Season the chicken with a little over half of the spices listed above and use the rest to season the shrimp.Heat the oil and 1 tbsp of the butter in a skillet over medium/high heat. Add the chicken in. Cook and stir constantly until thoroughly cooked, which should only take about 4-5 minutes. Remove it and set it aside.
- Add the other tbsp of butter to the pan and add in the shrimp. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until the shrimp is thoroughly cooked. Be careful to not overcook it!
- Assemble the rice on the plate, followed by some chicken and shrimp, and then drizzle as much cheese sauce on top as you want. If desired, warm up tortillas to stuff the mixture into and enjoy!
The chicken and shrimp are great! The rice and queso are not-so! Was really hoping this would be a hit. Will make the chicken and shrimp recipe again, but paired with a different rice & side next time!
this is amazing !! instead of making my own rice i just used two packets of knots spanish rice. followed the recipe for the chicken and cheese and it was amazing!!!i did not do spring because my kids are not a fan.(:
I love that Knorr Spanish rice so that was a great idea! So glad you and your family loved it!
What is the variety of the Sazon seasoning packet that you used? My grocery has several varieties.
Thanks!
You can honestly use any of them! I always buy whatever they have on hand!
You list a bunch of spices under the chicken and shrimp portion but then in the instructions it does not list when or how to use those.
I am so sorry about that! Thank you for brining it to my attention. I have corrected it. 🙂
Every single member of my family loved this… its in rotation now! Thank you!!
That is great! So happy to hear that the whole family loved it. Thank you for the review!