Mexican Chicken and Chorizo – Pollo Fiesta Recipe

This 3-ingredient Mexican Chicken and Chorizo recipe is a copy cat recipe of Pollo Fiesta from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Serve with rice and tortillas for a complete meal. This dish is also sometimes called Pollo con Chorizo or Pollo con Queso.

Pollo Fiesta Recipe (Fiesta Chicken)

My family tends to eat most meals at home, but when we do go out, we go to the local Mexican restaurant. We all love their food. You cannot beat quick, delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine.

My oldest daughter always orders Pollo Fiesta which is described on the menu as Chicken and Chorizo (Mexican Sausage) topped with cheese sauce. Sounds basic enough, right? Since she loves this Mexican Chicken and Chorizo recipe so much, I set out to create my own version to serve at home.

Ingredient List for Pollo Con Chorizo

This Mexican Chicken and Chorizo recipe calls for just 3 simple ingredients, and we share more about them below.

• Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless): Use whatever type of boneless, skinless chicken you prefer, and slice it into thin bite-size pieces.
• Uncooked Chorizo Sausage (pork or beef)
• Queso (white queso cheese or queso Blanco)

Most of the flavor in this Pollo con Chorizo recipe comes from the chorizo sausage. Chorizo is a Mexican sausage that is heavily seasoned pork with lots of chilies, paprika and other seasonings, so using Mexican sausage as an ingredient packs a huge amount of flavor with one simple ingredient.

Be sure to use Mexican sausage and not Spanish sausage, because the Mexican version is fresh or raw while the Spanish version is smoked meaning it is ready to eat and harder in texture.

Does packaged chorizo need to be cooked?

Yes, packaged chorizo needs to be cooked as it is raw and uncooked.

Is chorizo the same as sausage?

Yes, chorizo is a type of sausage, but it is a heavily seasoned Mexican sausage typically made with pork and a variety of spices.

Mexican Restaurant Pollo con Queso Recipe

The second ingredient in this chicken dish that packs some serious flavor is queso, or white queso in this instance.

You know what I’m talking about when I say white queso, right? Like the type served at authentic Mexican restaurants. It’s that amazing white dip that you order to eat with your tortilla chips and salsa.

Find Queso blanco in many different forms at the grocery store, and any version will work. Look for the refrigerated version, the shelf-stable version (either in the chip aisle or salsa aisle), or use White Velveeta. Check out “Pantry Essentials” section in our Amazon store for a couple of options.

How to Make Mexican Chicken and Chorizo

Step by Step Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat raw pork chorizo over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it starts to cook.
2. Once the chorizo becomes less solid (as the fat releases), add thin-sliced chicken pieces, cooking over medium heat until chicken is cooked and the sauce reduces. It should simmer approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Add queso blanco, and stir until mixed. (If you want it thinner, add a little chicken broth to desired consistency.)
4. Serve with rice, tortillas, chips and/or refried beans. Top with your favorite Mexican toppings such as diced onions, guacamole, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For the full recipe steps and ingredient amounts for Pollo Fiesta, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Recipe FAQs

• This is a copycat Mexican restaurant recipe, and it has many different names, including pollo fiesta, pollo con chorizo and pollo con queso.
• Use Mexican chorizo (raw, fresh, uncooked) as opposed to Spanish chorizo (hard, smoked, cooked).
• Beef or pork chorizo works.
• Chicken breasts or thighs work great. Cut into thin slices.
• Use your favorite queso blanco for this recipe.  I’ve used the refrigerated kind, shelf-stable queso dip, or use white Velveeta.
• I typically serve this chicken dish over authentic Spanish rice, try this recipe!
• Serve with warm tortillas or tortilla chips.

Favorite Mexican Recipes

Our family loves Mexican-inspired dishes, and we feature several of these recipes on our blog. Find some of our favorite of these recipes below. Don’t see what you are looking for? Head to our Search bar at the top of the page and type in what you are looking for.

• Mexican Goulash 
• Cheesy Mexican Chicken
• Crock Pot Ground Beef Enchiladas 
• Taco Dip Recipe with Refried Beans
• Layered Refried Bean Dip
• Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken with Rice and Cheese)

What can I do with leftover queso dip?

If you’re tired of eating chips and queso, repurpose that leftover queso dip into something new. Here are 5 easy ways to use leftover queso.

1. Add it to your basic chili recipe for a cheesy taco spin.
2. Make cheesy ham and potato casserole but add the leftover queso to the cheese sauce for a little kick!
3. Use it to make Mac and Cheese! Add the leftover queso to the cheese portion for a whole new recipe.
4. Mexican Goulash is an easy weeknight recipe. Add the leftover queso during the cooking process for some extra flavor.
5. Fiesta chicken calls for queso as an ingredient, so keep scrolling for the recipe!