Description
Santa fe chicken skillet delivers a hearty southwestern-style meal packed with bold flavors. Spicy peppers, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a comforting one-pan dinner you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 (10 ounces / 283 grams) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained
- 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 (12 ounces / 340 grams) can corn, drained
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by slicing breasts lengthwise into 4 thin cutlets, then generously season with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cooking chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer chicken from the pan.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions for 5 minutes until they become soft and develop a light caramelized color.
- Introduce Ro-tel tomatoes, beans, corn, and smoked paprika to the skillet, stirring to combine and release any browned bits from the pan’s bottom.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the vegetable mixture, then evenly distribute cheese across the entire dish.
- Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F oven, baking for 5-7 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cheese melts completely.
- Optional: Activate the broiler for 1-2 minutes to create a golden, crispy cheese topping.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve the skillet immediately while hot and bubbling.
Notes
- Slice chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Choose a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet for deeper flavor development and perfect caramelization.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder or adding jalapeños for extra spiciness.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by using certified gluten-free beans and checking seasoning ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg