15-Minute Santa Fe Chicken Bliss

Hey there! I’m Anna, and if there’s one thing I love more than cooking, it’s making cooking easy and joyful, especially when it comes to chicken! Life gets hectic, right? That’s why I’m always on the hunt for those flavor-packed, fuss-free recipes that can go from pantry to plate without a hitch. My kitchen has become a happy testing ground for simple, delicious chicken dishes that make everyday meals feel special. Today, I’m SO excited to share one of my absolute favorites: this amazing Santa Fe chicken skillet. It’s seriously a weeknight game-changer!

Why You’ll Love This Santa Fe Chicken

Seriously, this Santa Fe chicken is a total winner for so many reasons. It’s one of those magical dishes that tastes super impressive but is actually a breeze to whip up, making it perfect for those crazy weeknights. You’re going to adore how easy it is!

• Flavorful and Quick: We’re talking bold Tex-Mex flavors that come together in hardly any time at all.
• Easy One-Pan Prep: Everything cooks in one skillet, meaning less mess and less cleanup – my favorite kind of cooking!
• Family-Friendly: The combo of chicken, beans, corn, and melty cheese is a hit with pretty much everyone, kids included.

Gather Your Santa Fe Chicken Ingredients

Alright, let’s get everything ready for this delicious Santa Fe chicken skillet! It’s pretty straightforward, but a little prep work goes a long way. You’ll want to grab your ingredients and do a few quick things before we start cooking.

Chicken Breasts	2 large	cut in half lengthwise
Garlic Powder	1/2 teaspoon
Chili Powder	1/2 teaspoon
Salt	to taste
Black Pepper	to taste
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons
Onion	1/2 medium	chopped
Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies	1 (10 ounce) can	drained
Black Beans	1 (14 ounce) can	drained & rinsed
Corn	1 (12 ounce) can	drained
Smoked Paprika	1/2 teaspoon
Mexican Cheese Blend	1 cup
Fresh Cilantro	to taste	chopped (optional)

Make sure your chicken breasts are cut nice and even so they cook through at the same rate. And don’t forget to drain and rinse those beans and drain the corn – we don’t want any extra liquid messing with our savory sauce! Having everything prepped makes the actual cooking part a total breeze.

Step-by-Step Santa Fe Chicken Preparation

Alright, let’s get this delicious Santa Fe chicken skillet happening! It’s honestly so straightforward, you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a fantastic meal on the table in no time.

Preheating and Chicken Prep

First things first, get that oven preheating to 400°F (200°C). We want it nice and hot when it’s time to bake! While that’s heating up, let’s prep our chicken. Take those two large chicken breasts and cut them in half horizontally. This makes them thinner and ensures they cook through evenly without drying out. Now, give both sides a good sprinkle of garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Don’t be shy – this is where a lot of that amazing flavor starts!

Sautéing Aromatics

Grab an oven-safe skillet – a cast iron one is perfect for this! – and put it over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet. You want to get a nice golden-brown sear on them, about 3-4 minutes per side. Once they’re beautifully golden, take them out of the skillet and set them aside for a moment. They’re just getting a head start!

Building the Flavor Base

Now, toss your chopped onion into that same skillet. If there’s too much oil, you can drain a little, but leave enough to sauté the onion. Cook those onions for about 5 minutes until they’re nice and soft and starting to get a little golden. Then, stir in the drained Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chilies, the rinsed black beans, the drained corn, and that pinch of smoked paprika. Give it all a good stir to combine everything and let it heat through for a couple of minutes. You’re scraping up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s pure flavor!

Combining and Baking the Santa Fe Chicken

Now, nestle those seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, right on top of that yummy veggie mixture. Spoon some of that delicious tomato and bean mixture over the chicken to really coat it. The grand finale for this step? Sprinkle that Mexican cheese blend all over the top, making sure to get a good amount right on the chicken itself. Pop the whole skillet into your preheated oven.

Finishing Touches

Bake for about 5-7 minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to be cooked all the way through (an instant-read thermometer should read 165°F or 74°C) and for that cheese to be perfectly melted and bubbly. If you like your cheese a little more browned and crispy, you can totally pop it under the broiler for a minute or two at the very end, but seriously, watch it like a hawk because it can go from golden to burnt super fast! Once it’s out of the oven, give it a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro if you’re using it. It adds such a nice fresh pop. Serve it right out of the skillet – it’s that easy!

Tips for Perfect Santa Fe Chicken

Okay, so this Santa Fe chicken is pretty forgiving, but a few little tricks can make it even more amazing. Trust me, these little touches really elevate the dish and make sure you get that restaurant-worthy flavor right in your own kitchen.

Achieving Golden Chicken

When you’re searing the chicken, make sure that skillet is nice and hot before the chicken goes in! That sizzle is what gives you that beautiful golden-brown crust and locks in the juices. Don’t overcrowd the pan either; cook the chicken in batches if you have to. It makes all the difference for that perfect sear.

Preventing Burnt Cheese

That broiler step is optional, but if you want that extra crispy, melty cheese, keep a close eye on it! Ovens can be tricky, and cheese goes from perfectly golden to burnt way faster than you think. I usually just peek every 30 seconds or so. If it’s looking too brown too quickly, just pull the skillet out!

Spice Level Customization

This recipe has a nice gentle warmth, but you can totally crank up the heat if you love a kick! For more spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the other spices, or even use a can of Ro-Tel that’s labeled “hot.” Fresh jalapeños, finely diced and sautéed with the onions, are another great way to add some fiery flavor.

Santa Fe Chicken FAQs

Got questions about this amazing Santa Fe chicken skillet? I’ve got answers! It’s one of those dishes that’s super adaptable, so let’s dive into some common queries to make sure your cooking experience is smooth and delicious.

Can I use different cuts of chicken for Santa Fe chicken?

Absolutely! While chicken breasts are my go-to because they cook quickly and evenly, you can totally use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They tend to be a bit more forgiving and stay extra moist. Just make sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces before searing, and they might need a few extra minutes of cooking time in the skillet before adding the veggies.

How can I make this Santa Fe chicken recipe spicier?

Oh, if you love a little heat, this recipe is a fantastic base for it! To amp up the spice in your Santa Fe chicken, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the other spices when you season the chicken. You could also swap the regular Ro-Tel for their “hot” version, or even sauté some finely diced fresh jalapeños with the onions at the beginning. A little dash of your favorite hot sauce at the end works wonders too!

What are good side dishes for Santa Fe chicken?

This skillet meal is pretty self-contained, but if you want to round it out, there are tons of easy sides that pair perfectly! A simple scoop of fluffy rice (white or brown) is always a winner to soak up any extra sauce. Some fresh salsa and a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt are great toppings. If you’re feeling it, a simple side salad with a lime vinaigrette or some warm tortillas for scooping would be fantastic too!

Nutritional Information for Santa Fe Chicken

Just a little note that all the nutritional info for this yummy Santa Fe chicken is an estimate. It can totally change a bit depending on the brands you use and how you might tweak it! But this gives you a good idea of what you’re working with.

Serving Size	1 serving
Calories	450
Fat	20g
Saturated Fat	8g
Unsaturated Fat	12g
Trans Fat	0.5g
Carbohydrates	30g
Fiber	8g
Protein	35g
Cholesterol	120mg
Sugar	8g
Sodium	700mg

Storing and Reheating Your Santa Fe Chicken

Got delicious Santa Fe chicken leftovers? Lucky you! Storing and reheating this dish is super simple and keeps it tasting almost as good as the first time. Just pop any extra into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay tasty for about 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, try reheating it gently in a skillet over low heat – this helps keep the chicken and veggies from getting mushy. Or, if you prefer, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until everything is warmed through. Either way, it’s a fantastic quick meal!

Storage Method	Reheating Method
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.	Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

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