Santa Fe Chicken Skillet

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Santa Fe Chicken Skillet is everything you want in a weeknight meal. It’s packed with vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients like black beans, corn, and Ro-tel tomatoes, all balanced by the rich, savory taste of melted cheese. Plus, it’s super easy to prepare, with minimal prep and just a few simple steps. The chicken comes out juicy and perfectly cooked, while the smoky spices and cheesy topping bring everything together in one satisfying dish. Whether you’re cooking for your family or making a meal for yourself, this skillet dinner is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 2 large chicken breasts

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ½ medium onion, chopped

• 1 (10-ounce) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained

• 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained & rinsed

• 1 (12-ounce) can corn, drained

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 cup Mexican cheese blend

• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and move the rack to the middle position.

2. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season both sides with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until lightly golden. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and lightly browned.

5. Stir in the Ro-tel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and smoked paprika. Allow the mixture to heat through for a couple of minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

6. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some of the tomato, bean, and corn mixture on top of the chicken. Sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend over everything, focusing it on the chicken.

7. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you like your cheese browned, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes (but watch closely to avoid burning).

8. Top with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 20 minutes

• Total time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian option: Skip the chicken and use extra beans, corn, and roasted vegetables for a hearty vegetarian skillet.

• Spicy kick: Add jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the skillet for an extra layer of heat.

• Swap the cheese: Try using a different cheese blend like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs for a juicier option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly as thighs may take slightly longer to cook through.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Cook the chicken, make the tomato-bean-corn mixture, and store them separately. When ready to serve, combine and bake as directed.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, you can freeze the chicken and vegetable mixture before baking. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake or broil as directed.

Is there a way to make this dish spicier?

If you like spice, try adding diced jalapeños, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of hot sauce to the dish.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of Ro-tel?

Yes, fresh diced tomatoes can be used, but the Ro-tel adds a unique flavor with the green chilies. You may want to add a pinch of chili flakes or a small chopped chili to replicate the flavor.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F, which is the safe cooking temperature for chicken.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap the Mexican cheese blend for any cheese you prefer, like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even mozzarella.

What can I serve with this dish?

This Santa Fe chicken skillet pairs wonderfully with rice, tortilla chips, or a simple side salad. You could also serve it with guacamole or sour cream for extra flavor.

Can I make this dish without an oven?

Yes, if you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can finish cooking the dish on the stovetop by covering the skillet with a lid and letting the cheese melt under low heat.

Can I add other vegetables to this dish?

Definitely! Feel free to add bell peppers, zucchini, or even spinach to the dish for extra vegetables and nutrition.

Conclusion

This Santa Fe Chicken Skillet is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With its combination of juicy chicken, southwestern spices, black beans, corn, and melted cheese, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Plus, it’s versatile and can be easily customized to suit your preferences. Whether you stick to the original recipe or make a few tweaks, you can’t go wrong with this delicious one-pan meal.

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Santa Fe Chicken Skillet

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A quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts, black beans, corn, Ro-tel tomatoes, southwest spices, and melted cheese. It's a perfect dish for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

• Author: Janet
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop, Oven
• Cuisine: Southwestern
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon chili powder

Salt & pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ medium onion, chopped

1 (10-ounce) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained

1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 (12-ounce) can corn, drained

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

1 cup Mexican cheese blend

Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and move the rack to the middle position.
2. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season both sides with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until lightly golden. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and lightly browned.
5. Stir in the Ro-tel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and smoked paprika. Allow the mixture to heat through for a couple of minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some of the tomato, bean, and corn mixture on top of the chicken. Sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend over everything, focusing it on the chicken.
7. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you like your cheese browned, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes (but watch closely to avoid burning).
8. Top with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

• Vegetarian option: Skip the chicken and use extra beans, corn, and roasted vegetables for a hearty vegetarian skillet.
• Spicy kick: Add jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the skillet for an extra layer of heat.
• Swap the cheese: Try using a different cheese blend like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave, on the stove over low heat, or in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 70mg