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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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