Zesty Tex-Mex Chicken Skillet
This Zesty Tex-Mex Chicken Skillet is a vibrant and flavorful one-pan dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. Bursting with spices and fresh ingredients, this meal combines juicy chicken breast, colorful vegetables, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, all cooked together with instant rice for a quick and satisfying dinner. Topped with fresh tomatoes and olives, it's a delightful balance of heat and flavor that will have your family asking for seconds.
N/A
Servings
467
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless chicken breast
1 lb (cut into strips)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
onion
1 (coarsely chopped)
green bell pepper
1 (coarsely chopped)
garlic
2 cloves (minced)
instant rice
1 cup (none)
picante sauce
1 cup (none)
chicken broth
1/2 cup (none)
Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (shredded)
tomato
1 (seeded and chopped)
black olives
1/2 cup (sliced)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken strips with ground cumin and salt. Toss to ensure the chicken is well coated.
2
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3
Add the coarsely chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
4
Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and sauté, stirring constantly, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
5
Stir in the instant rice, picante sauce, and chicken broth, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
6
Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet and remove it from heat. Let it stand for 10 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb all the liquid.
7
After 10 minutes, sprinkle the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let it stand for an additional 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
8
Garnish with the seeded and chopped tomatoes, along with the sliced black olives before serving.
9
For an extra touch, serve with a dollop of sour cream on each plate.
Nutrition Information
22
Fat
40
Carbs
30
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Zesty Tex-Mex Chicken Skillet?
It is a vibrant and flavorful one-pan dish made with chicken breast, colorful vegetables, instant rice, and Monterey Jack cheese.
What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of boneless chicken breast cut into strips.
How do I season the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned by tossing it in a mixing bowl with ground cumin and salt until well coated.
What vegetables are included in the skillet?
The dish includes coarsely chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken should be sautéed for approximately 5-7 minutes until it is cooked through and no longer pink.
What kind of rice is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1 cup of instant rice for a quick cooking process.
What liquids are used to cook the rice?
The rice is cooked in a mixture of 1 cup of picante sauce and 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
Do I need to keep the skillet on the heat after adding the rice?
No, once the mixture reaches a boil, cover the skillet and remove it from the heat to let the rice absorb the liquid.
How long does the rice need to stand?
The rice should stand for 10 minutes after being removed from the heat.
When should I add the cheese?
Add the Monterey Jack cheese after the initial 10-minute standing period for the rice.
How long should the cheese melt?
Cover the skillet and let it stand for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
What type of cheese is recommended?
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese is recommended for its creamy texture and flavor.
How do I garnish the dish?
Garnish the skillet with seeded and chopped tomatoes and sliced black olives.
Is there a suggested topping for serving?
Yes, serving each plate with a dollop of sour cream is recommended for an extra touch.
Is this a spicy dish?
The dish has a zesty and spicy profile due to the cumin and picante sauce, but the heat level can be adjusted based on the picante sauce chosen.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 467 calories.
What is the protein content of this meal?
This chicken skillet provides 30 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 22 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The dish contains 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is designed as a one-pan meal that is convenient and quick to prepare.
Can I use a different type of rice?
The liquid ratios and standing times are specific to instant rice; regular rice would require more liquid and active cooking time.
How much cumin is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
What is the purpose of seeding the tomatoes?
Seeding the tomatoes prevents the garnish from making the dish watery.
Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil?
Yes, olive oil can be used as a substitute for vegetable oil for sautéing.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
You will need 2 minced cloves of garlic.
What size should the onion be?
The recipe calls for one whole onion, coarsely chopped.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I substitute the chicken broth?
Vegetable broth or water could be used, though chicken broth provides the best flavor for this dish.
Is this recipe considered a one-pan meal?
Yes, all the main components are cooked and combined in a single large skillet.