Description
This Santa Fe Chicken recipe is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with a smoky blend of spices, cooked with sautéed onions, fire-roasted corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes, then topped with melted fiesta cheese for a delicious southwestern-inspired meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Beans
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel, undrained
- 1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12-ounce) can fire roasted corn, drained
Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup fiesta cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four smaller cutlets. Rinse and pat dry, then set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Evenly season all sides of the chicken cutlets with the spice blend, ensuring they are well coated.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, until nicely browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the Onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for a few minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add Vegetables: Add the can of Rotel (with its juices), black beans, and fire roasted corn to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet on top of the vegetable and bean mixture. Spoon some of the mixture over the chicken breasts. Let everything heat together for a few more minutes until the chicken is warmed through.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the fiesta cheese blend over the chicken. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice blend.
- Serve with warm tortillas or over rice for a complete meal.
- Fresh cilantro adds a bright flavor, but it can be omitted if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
