Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (2024)

I am so in love with this Southwestern Fiesta Chicken! It’s so good, quick and easy. It’s perfect for throwing together on a weeknight, and it’s a million times better than anything you’ll get at a restaurant!

Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (2)

And seriously who not want to eat this gorgeous meal? It’s like a fiesta on a plate! There are so many fabulous fresh flavors going on here. A party on your plate and a party in your mouth!!

And it’s seriously SO easy to make. Here’s all you need!

How to Make Southwestern Fiesta Chicken

Let’s start by making the zestycilantro lime rice. The riceis the base of this dish and gives the whole meal afabulouslyfresh kick!

Just add rice, water, chopped cilantro, andthe juice of one lime to a large pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for 14 minutes. Easy peasy! Keep covered and set aside for later.

Meanwhile, cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, and season with 1/2 packet (1.5 tablespoons) taco seasoning. I am using our favoritehomemade taco seasoning.

Next, heat some olive oil in a very large skillet. A dutch oven, wok, or something with high sides might actually be better here. We’re going to be adding a lot to this fabulous dish!! :) When the oil is very hot, add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes, until golden brown, flipping once halfway though.

Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. You might want to make extra because everyone will be snacking on these tacochicken nuggets!! ;)

Turn the heat to high, and in the same skillet add the diced onions and bell peppers. I love using a frozen mix for this — it’s already diced for you! But you could also use 1 onion and 3 bell peppers (about 2 cups each after diced).

Then add the corn — I am using frozen but you could use fresh. If it’s from a can just remember to drain it.

And finally add the remaining taco seasoning.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are slightly blackened around the edges.

Turn heat to low, add the garlic, and stir until combined and fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Now addthe beans and diced tomatoes (both drained)…

And finally the cooked rice and chicken. If you don’t have enough room in your skillet for the rice and chicken, just serve the chicken and veggies over the rice on individual plates. I just like to mix it all up before serving. :)

Garnish plates with a little more chopped cilantro….

Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (19)

And top with diced avocado if desired! We LOVE the avocado addition. This dish is bursting with so many fresh, fabulous flavors. I cannot tell you how much we love it! Hope you enjoy!! :)

Print

Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (20)

Southwestern Fiesta Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 16 reviews

  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (21) Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (22) Cook Time: 5 Minutes
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (23) Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (24) Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (25) Category: Dinner
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (26) Method: Dutch Oven
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (27) Cuisine: American

Print

Description

I am so in love with this Southwestern Fiesta Chicken! It’s so good, quick and easy. It’s perfect for throwing together on a weeknight, and it’s a million times better than anything you’ll get at a restaurant!

Scale

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Rice

  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 23 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

For The Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 envelope (3 tablespoons) taco seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups diced onion (about 1 onion)
  • 2 cups diced bell peppers (about 3 bell peppers)
  • 2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, drained
  • 1 (10 ounce) cans Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles, drained
  • 1 avocado, diced

Instructions

  1. Add the rice, water, salt, lime juice, and cilantro to a medium pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 14 minutes. Set aside and keep covered.
  2. Meanwhile, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with half of taco seasoning. In a very large skillet or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes, until golden brown, flipping once halfway through. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, increase the heat to high, and add the onions, bell peppers, corn, and remaining taco seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are slightly blackened. Decrease heat to low, add garlic, and stir until combined and fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. Add the drained black beans and tomatoes, rice, and chicken. Stir all to combine. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro and top with diced avocado. Serve and enjoy!! :)

You May Also Like:

  • Easy Cajun Chicken and Rice Recipe

  • Chicken Fajita Pasta

  • Lemon Chicken Pasta

  • Cajun Chicken Pasta

  • Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

  • Cheesy Chicken Rice with Broccoli and Bacon

  • Creamy Shrimp Pasta

  • Honey Garlic Shrimp Dinner Recipe

If you enjoyed this post, follow us day-to-day on Instagram @kevinandamanda! Tag your recipes and travels with #kevinandamanda. We'd love to see what you're sharing!

  • Chicken
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Dinner in 30 Minutes or Less
  • Quick and Easy
Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to sear chicken breast before slow cooking? ›

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Season the chicken breasts on all sides with the salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Place the chicken in a slow cooker.

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

There are three key tricks: tenderize, marinate, and controlled cooking time. When you use all three of these methods, you will have succulent, moist chicken every time, and you can apply these strategies to other cuts of meat as well.

What ingredient makes chicken soft? ›

Step 1: Make the Marinade

Some of our favorites are yogurt, buttermilk, citrus juices, wine or even store bought salad dressings. We love this recipe for Marinated Chicken Breast (pictured above) that calls for any vinegar you have in the pantry.

Does soaking chicken in buttermilk make it tender? ›

The secret to making the perfect fried chicken is the use of buttermilk, as it helps tenderize each piece while leaving each bite juicy and crispy. After marinating, dredge your chicken pieces in the flour mixture and get to frying!

What do chefs cook chicken to? ›

All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. A whole chicken must reach this temperature throughout the bird.

How long can you leave chicken in buttermilk? ›

Can you oversoak chicken in buttermilk? While buttermilk is a great marinade, you don't want to overdo it. Try not to marinate any longer than 24 hours, because after that your chicken may get tough or maybe mushy from the acidity breaking down the protein too much..

Is it better to pan sear or bake chicken breast? ›

Because baked chicken breast is easy to dry out, it needs time to brine or marinade before you cook it. (See this Chicken Marinade for a recipe.) Pan frying chicken breast is a more moist cooking method because of the oil. The pan's high temperature cooks the chicken quickly, before it can dry out.

What is the best oil to sear chicken in? ›

To prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan, use a high-heat cooking oil like canola. Searing is great for chicken tenders, boneless chicken breasts, and thighs (boneless, skinless, or otherwise). With skin-on cuts, you'll want to sear the chicken skin-side down until the skin is golden brown.

Is it better to cook chicken breast slow or fast? ›

Low Heat Cooking – Cooking chicken breasts over low heat with a lid covering the pan helps them to retain almost all their moisture and prevents overcooking. It takes a few more minutes than normal, but it's well worth it!

Is chicken better in oven or pan? ›

What Is The Best Way To Cook A Chicken Breast? Cooking a boneless and skinless chicken breast in a hot cast iron pan is by far the easiest and most tasty way to cook the breast. You are far less likely to overcook the chicken breast compared to baking it in the oven or poaching it in water.

Should I cover the pan when cooking chicken? ›

As the chicken cooks, cover the pan with a lid to trap the heat. This helps render the fat and water from the chicken for a crisp crust and evenly cooked meat.

Do you put water in the pan when cooking chicken? ›

Cook the chicken breast without moving it for a few minutes or until golden brown. Now flip the chicken breast, reduce the heat to low, and add a splash of liquid. I often use water, but white wine or chicken stock works well, too.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook.

Why is chicken soft at restaurants? ›

Restaurants use marinades made from a combination of acidic ingredients (such as vinegar, citrus juice, or yogurt) and flavorful herbs and spices. The acid in the marinade helps to break down the proteins in the chicken, making it more tender.

How do Chinese restaurants get their chicken so tender? ›

How do Chinese Restaurants tenderise chicken?
  1. marinating in a cornstarch/cornflour sludge then deep frying or blanching in water before proceeding to cook in the stir fry.
  2. egg whites – sometimes the above method is also done using egg whites.
  3. chemical tenderiser.
  4. simple baking soda / bi carbonate method.
Feb 23, 2019

How does Chick-fil-A get their chicken so tender? ›

A juicy Chick-fil-A sandwich is all about the brine

Many speculators have theorized that a pickle juice brine is to thank for the sandwich's unforgettable tenderness.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 5975

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.