Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Santa Fe Chicken Skillet featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with garlic and chili powder, combined with a smoky mix of black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes, all topped with melted Mexican cheese blend for the perfect weeknight dinner.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Baking
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Halal
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Beans
- 1/2 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
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, to taste)
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and position the rack in the middle for even cooking.
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thin cutlets. Season both sides evenly with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until they are lightly golden. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add vegetables and spices: Stir in the drained Ro-tel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and smoked paprika. Cook for a couple of minutes to heat through and scrape up any browned bits from the pan to enhance flavor.
- Assemble the skillet: Place the chicken cutlets back into the skillet and spoon some of the tomato, bean, and corn mixture over each piece. Sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top, concentrating it over the chicken for meltier results.
- Bake and melt cheese: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top if desired, and serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- Make sure to use an oven-safe skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Drain canned ingredients well to avoid excess liquid in the skillet.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste preference and spice tolerance.
- Fresh cilantro adds a bright, fresh flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure all canned and seasoning ingredients have no hidden gluten.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Santa Fe Chicken Skillet, Chicken recipe, Southwestern chicken, One-pan dinner, Mexican cheese chicken, Weeknight dinner