This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy
This Southwest Chicken Skillet is a quick and easy one pan meal that is ready in about 25 minutes. It is loaded with all the classic Southwest flavors for a comforting and delicious dinner.
One pan meals are my favorite for busy weeknights. There are so many ways you can mix them up to have Mexican flavor like this one or even Italian like this Chicken Spinach Alfredo that you can make in just 20 minutes.
Plus, clean up is so much easier! I don’t know about you, but I hate doing dishes. So one pan means clean up is fast and easy.
Weeknights are busy, so having a recipe that you can make in just minutes is a must! This chicken skillet all comes together in one pan in about 25 minutes total! You can top it with whatever your favorite taco toppings are, and even mix up the skillet to add beans, use a different protein etc.
This Southwest Chicken Skillet is kind of a twist on the classic chicken and rice. You dice up the chicken into bite sized pieces, then cook the chicken and rice together in the same pan. Just add salsa, cheese, Southwest seasonings, some chilies and you have a super flavorful dinner.
What You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Olive Oil
- Chicken – I use chicken breast, but chicken thighs work great as well
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chopped Green Chilies
- Corn – black beans is a great sub or addition
- Uncooked White Rice
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Salsa
- Chicken Broth
Plus whatever taco type toppings that you like!
How To Make Southwest Chicken Skillet
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, swirl olive oil to coat. Add the chopped chicken breast and onions and cook for a few minutes. You want the chicken to be browned and the onions to be soft. The chicken will not be cooked through.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until you can start to smell it.
- Mix in the green chilies, corn, rice, chili powder and cumin. If you want to use black beans, add them now as well.
- Stir in salsa and chicken broth. Bring everything to a boil, cover it, and reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cook for about 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender. You will want to stir occasionally to make sure everything cooks evenly.
- Top with cheddar cheese, cover and heat for 2-3 minutes until melted.
- Served topped with your favorite toppings.
You can use brown rice, but it will take longer to cook, and the chicken will be dry and overcooked by the time the rice is done. So if you want to go that route, I would brown the chicken, onions and garlic like the recipe says and then remove from the pan. When the rice is about half way done, I would add it back to finish cooking.
You can definitely add bell peppers, zucchini or other veggies that you like to this dish. Black beans are a great addition as well.
This cooks in about 25 minutes, so it is ideal for a busy weeknight when you need to get dinner on the table. You can freeze this for up to 3 months, or leftovers will last in the fridge for 4-5 days. I like to freeze in individual portions to make reheating for lunch quick and easy.
You can then top your chicken skillet like you would any of your favorite Mexican dishes. Add sour cream, cilantro, black olives, fresh tomatoes, avocado…you name it, go for it! And the leftovers are so good for lunch the next day. So get in the kitchen and make this one pan meal for dinner tonight, only takes 25 minutes and you have dinner for the whole family done!
Southwest Chicken Skillet Toppings
What you top your skillet with is completely up to you. Pretty much anything you like on your favorite tacos or Mexican style dish goes over well here.
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Black Olives
- Fresh Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Jalapenos
How To Serve
This Southwest Chicken Skillet is an easy and hearty dinner you can make any night of the week. Depending on what you add for toppings this could be a complete meal, or you could serve with my favorite Tortilla Chips or veggie on the side like Roasted Asparagus or a simple Tossed Salad.
More One Pan Dinner Recipes
- One Pot Spaghetti in Meat Sauce
- Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
- One Pan Pizza Chicken
- Taco Pasta Skillet
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Sausage & Rice Skillet
- Cheesy Sausage Pasta
One Pan Southwest Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- 1 pound Chicken, Cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 small Onion, Finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
- 4 ounces Chopped Green Chiles
- 1 cup Corn
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice, Uncooked
- 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 cup Salsa
- 2 1/4 cups Chicken Stock
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
Toppings:
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, swirl olive oil to coat.
- Add chicken and onions, cook for 4-6 minutes until chicken is browned and onions are soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Mix in green chilies, corn, rice, chili powder and cumin.
- Stir in salsa and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Top with cheddar cheese, cover and heat for 2-3 minutes until melted.
- Served topped with your favorite toppings; sour cream, black olives, avocado, cilantro etc.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can
share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU make!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you
never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Did you know there is a Dinners,
Dishes, and Desserts SHOP? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a
coffee to say thanks!
.
Such an incredibly delicious meal! Perfect for weeknights!! YUM!
Such a fantastic dish! I love the flavors! My family is gonna love it!
Easy and delicious! So perfect for my weeknight dinner!