Sizzling Santa Fe Spicy Chicken Skillet Recipe for Dinner Fun

Comfort meets southwestern flair in this delectable spicy Santa Fe chicken skillet that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Packed with vibrant flavors and bold spices, this one-pan wonder delivers a mouthwatering meal in mere minutes.

The combination of tender chicken, zesty peppers, and hearty seasonings creates a culinary experience that speaks to the soul of southwestern cuisine.

Each bite bursts with a perfect balance of heat and richness that transforms an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Fresh ingredients meld together seamlessly, bringing an authentic southwestern charm to your table.

You’ll savor every forkful of this robust and satisfying dish that comes together with minimal effort.

The aroma alone will have everyone eagerly gathering around, ready to dive into this irresistible skillet sensation.

Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Gear Checklist

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and combining ingredients quickly and evenly.
• Cutting board: Perfect for dicing chicken and chopping green onions and cilantro.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Cheese grater (optional): Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure chicken broth and other liquid ingredients precisely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Santa Fe Chicken Skillet

• Sizzle Chicken Awesomeness

Warm up a skillet with olive oil on medium-high heat. Toss in chicken pieces and sprinkle with a zesty blend of spices. Let the chicken dance and brown for about 5-6 minutes until it’s golden and delicious.

• Layer Flavor Explosion

Dive in with black beans, sweet corn kernels, juicy tomatoes, and a splash of broth. Let everything bubble and mingle for 5 minutes, creating a mouthwatering blend of southwestern goodness.

• Cheese Magic

Blanket the skillet with a generous shower of melty cheese. Cover and let it transform for 2 minutes until the cheese becomes a gooey wonderland.

• Finish With Freshness

Sprinkle bright green onions and fragrant cilantro over the top. Add a zippy lime squeeze for extra zing. Serve this vibrant dish over fluffy rice, wrapped in warm tortillas, or alongside crispy chips for a crowd-pleasing meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Mix-Ups and Flavor Boosts for Santa Fe Chicken

• Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for extra depth and heat in your Santa Fe Chicken Skillet.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Low-Carb Hack: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carb version that's just as delicious.
• Protein Swap: Easily substitute chicken with ground turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based protein crumbles to suit different dietary preferences or pantry options.
• Veggie Power-Up: Toss in additional vegetables like bell peppers, diced zucchini, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add more color to the skillet.

Serving Santa Fe Chicken with Flair

• Zesty Taco Bowl Delight: Create a vibrant bowl by layering fluffy rice with the Santa Fe chicken, topping with extra cheese, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Southwest Wrap Adventure: Roll the spicy chicken mixture into large flour tortillas with additional cheese, creating hearty handheld meals perfect for lunch or quick dinners that pack a flavor punch.
• Nacho Party Starter: Transform the skillet contents into a shareable appetizer by spreading the mixture over crispy tortilla chips, adding extra melted cheese, and garnishing with jalapeños for a crowd-pleasing game day treat.
• Quick Meal Prep Magic: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for easy lunch bowls or quick protein additions to salads, ensuring delicious meals are always just minutes away.

Store & Save Santa Fe Chicken Like a Pro

• Smart Stashing: Refrigerate leftover chicken skillet in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before storing to maintain optimal texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Quick Reheat Trick: Warm portions in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and keep chicken tender.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Pack cooled skillet meals in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best flavor and quality.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare double batches during cooking. Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners. Label with date and contents to track freshness easily.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Santa Fe Chicken Skillet: What You’ll Use

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides a hearty base for the skillet, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick and even cooking.

• Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Spice blend that creates a vibrant Santa Fe-inspired flavor profile, enhancing the chicken's taste with warm, smoky, and zesty notes.

• Black Beans, Corn, Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture, nutritional value, and Southwest-style freshness, with black beans providing protein and corn bringing a sweet crunch.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich, moisture-rich environment for simmering and melding flavors.

• Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding creamy richness and binding the dish together.

• Green Onions, Cilantro, Lime: Bright, fresh elements that add color, zesty flavor, and a citrusy punch to finish the dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a healthy cooking medium with a subtle, smooth flavor for sautéing chicken.

Spicy Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe

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4.9 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Santa fe chicken skillet delivers a southwestern flavor explosion with zesty spices and fresh ingredients. Home cooks can quickly prepare this one-pan meal that promises robust flavors and easy cleanup.

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Ingredients

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• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 (10 oz / 280 g) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
• 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained & rinsed
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Searing the Chicken: Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, then add diced chicken seasoned with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until the chicken achieves a golden-brown exterior and is fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes.
2. Building the Base: Introduce black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes to the chicken, creating a vibrant and textured mixture. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
3. Melting the Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese across the skillet, covering the entire surface. Cover and allow the cheese to melt completely, creating a rich and creamy layer, approximately 2 minutes.
4. Finishing Touches: Garnish the skillet with freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. Brighten the dish with a squeeze of lime juice to enhance the overall flavor profile.
5. Serving Suggestions: Serve the Santa Fe chicken skillet over rice, wrapped in warm tortillas, or alongside crispy tortilla chips for a versatile and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Spice Selection Mastery: Choose high-quality, fresh spices to maximize the robust flavor profile, ensuring each bite delivers an authentic Santa Fe taste sensation.
• Chicken Cooking Precision: Pat chicken pieces dry before seasoning to achieve perfect golden-brown searing and prevent unwanted moisture that can inhibit caramelization.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use medium-low heat when adding cheese to prevent burning and create a smooth, uniform melted layer that coats ingredients evenly.
• Dietary Adaptation Strategy: Swap chicken for black beans or tofu for vegetarian version, use cauliflower rice for low-carb option, and select dairy-free cheese alternatives for vegan preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg