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Close-up of Santa Fe Chicken with melted cheese and colorful vegetables in a cast iron skillet

Santa Fe Chicken


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  • Author: Sam
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

A bold and colorful one-skillet meal packed with juicy chicken, Tex-Mex spices, vibrant veggies, and melted cheese—Santa Fe Chicken is a comforting, easy weeknight favorite everyone loves.


Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks or strips
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Tex-Mex blend)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Cooked rice, for serving (optional)


Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken pieces and season with cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook for 6–8 minutes, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed and sauté diced bell peppers for about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes (with juice).
  6. Return chicken to the skillet and stir everything together.
  7. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
  8. Cover with a lid and let it melt over low heat for about 5 minutes.
  9. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot over rice or in tortillas.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in 1/4 cup cream cheese before topping with shredded cheese. Easily adapted for gluten-free diets. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer and reheat with a splash of broth.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex