Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Santa Fe Chicken Skillet featuring tender seasoned chicken breasts cooked with sautéed onions, Rotel tomatoes, black beans, and corn, topped with melted Mexican cheese blend and fresh cilantro for a hearty, southwestern-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Vegetables & Canned Goods
- 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
Additional Seasonings and Toppings
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and position the rack in the middle of the oven to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thinner cutlets. Season both sides thoroughly with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper for robust flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until lightly golden, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes or until softened and lightly browned, picking up the flavorful browned bits left from the chicken.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Stir in the drained Rotel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and smoked paprika. Heat the mixture for a couple of minutes while scraping up any remaining browned bits from the pan bottom to enrich the flavor.
- Return Chicken & Add Cheese: Nestle the chicken back into the skillet and spoon some of the vegetable mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top, focusing on the chicken pieces.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese has melted completely. Optionally, broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese, carefully watching to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top if desired, and serve immediately for a warm and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet, such as cast iron, for seamless stovetop to oven cooking.
- You can substitute fresh diced tomatoes and green chilies if canned Rotel is unavailable.
- Adjust chili powder amount according to your preferred spice level.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe 165°F.
- Optional toppings like avocado, sour cream, or jalapeños can add extra flavor and texture.
