Description
A flavorful and easy Santa Fe Chicken Skillet recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with smoky spices, sautéed onions, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn, and melted Mexican cheese. This one-pan dish is perfect for a quick, hearty weeknight dinner with a delicious Southwestern flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Beans
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 (10-ounce) can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12-ounce) can corn, drained
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Cheese & Garnish
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides evenly with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the assembled skillet dish.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken cutlets until they turn lightly golden on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside for later.
- Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes softened and lightly browned, absorbing the flavorful chicken drippings.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the drained Ro-Tel tomatoes & green chilies, black beans, corn, and smoked paprika. Cook the mixture until heated through, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Assemble Skillet: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the vegetable and bean mixture. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top of the chicken and mixture.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the cheese has melted. For a golden-brown cheese topping, broil for an additional 2 minutes if desired.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if using, and serve immediately for a comforting, delicious meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Use an oven-safe skillet like cast iron to go from stovetop to oven seamlessly.
- Draining canned ingredients well prevents excess liquid for a thicker skillet mixture.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat well in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southwestern
