Fiesta Chicken Easy Mexican Chicken And Rice Wellplated Com

This fiesta chicken recipe is an oldie but a goodie from my recipe archives. It’s one of the first dishes I ever learned to cook (along with these Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas), so I can attest that even if you are just starting out in the kitchen, you can make it with confidence and success. Despite its simplicity, fiesta chicken casserole is still a recipe I regularly make because it meets core dinner requirements:

Easy. Can you chop and stir? You can make fiesta chicken and rice! (And you can also handle this tasty Chicken Enchilada Skillet.)Healthy. Veggies, lean protein, whole grains…the gang is all here.Tex-Mex Inspired. a.k.a. can serve as a vehicle for avocado. Like Cowboy Chicken, this house approves.Even Better Leftover. This creamy fiesta chicken is a win for meal prep. Cook once and eat yummy leftovers all week!

Basically, if you want a simple, healthy, delicious meal that’s ready ASAP, fiesta chicken is the one for you! (This King Ranch Chicken would also fit the bill.)

How to Make Fiesta Chicken

Combining fresh ingredients and everyday pantry staples, like black beans and fire-roasted tomatoes, this is truly the BEST fiesta chicken recipe that cooks entirely in one pan (like in this Taco Skillet).

The Ingredients

Chicken. I always keep a few chicken breasts in my fridge and/or freezer for quick one-pan recipes like this easy fiesta chicken (and this Chicken Tortilla Soup).

Bell Peppers. Feel free to use one or more of your favorite colors. Just like in Beef Fajitas, I like to use a combination of red bell peppers and green.Onion. The aromatic foundation.Instant Brown Rice. My secret to getting this one-pan wonder on the table in under 30 minutes.

Black Beans. These MVPs of Tex-Mex cuisine pack extra fiber and plant-based protein into every bite. (For more black bean goodness, try my Black Bean Corn Salad.)Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. Provide moisture and smoky roasted tomato flavor.Chicken Stock. Our main cooking liquid that flavors and steams the rice right in the pan with the other fiesta chicken ingredients.Spices. What makes this fiesta chicken and rice especially memorable is its combination of spices. Along with the usual Tex-Mex suspects such as cumin and cayenne, I add traditional ranch spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, and dill.Cheddar Cheese. Just enough to make things melty, gooey, and creamy without being overly heavy.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.To Reheat. Rewarm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken stock or water to keep it from drying out.To Freeze. Place leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Cast Iron Skillet. A high-quality skillet is a worthwhile investment if you enjoy skillet recipes like this fiesta chicken.Measuring Spoons. For measuring spices with accuracy.Chef’s Knife. Perfect for chopping, slicing, and dicing.

Fiesta chicken: a recipe that will never go out of style.