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!! :)

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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

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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!! :)

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Southwestern Fiesta Chicken | Easy Chicken Dinner Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to season chicken like a restaurant? ›

Dry rub or marinade: Applying a dry rub or marinade to the chicken before cooking can add flavor and mimic the taste of grilled chicken. Try using a blend of herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, paprika, and cumin, to add a smoky flavor.

What to eat with chicken? ›

40 Side Dishes For Chicken The Whole Family Will Love
  • 01 of 40. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 02 of 40. Tennessee Onions. ...
  • 03 of 40. Roasted Broccoli. ...
  • 04 of 40. Slow-Cooker Green Beans. ...
  • 05 of 40. Roasted Broccolini With Pecans And Lemon. ...
  • 06 of 40. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. ...
  • 07 of 40. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus. ...
  • 08 of 40.
Jan 10, 2024

Can you cook chicken on the stove? ›

Pan-seared chicken breast, cooked in a little oil with salt and pepper and finished with a generous knob of butter, is the first way I learned to cook chicken breast on the stove and a technique I always go back to.

Is Gordon Ramsay a billionaire? ›

Gordon Ramsay – Net Worth $220 Million

Even though he first gained notoriety in the food industry, his television programs account for the majority of his current income. Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Master Chef, Hotel Hell, Faking It, and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares are some of these programs.

What is the secret to juicy chicken? ›

Most recipes use butter or oil for cooking chicken, but mayo is the better fat option when it comes to producing juicy chicken. While it cooks, the chicken will absorb fat from the egg and oil in the mayo, keeping it moist while adding flavor.

What spices enhance the flavor of chicken? ›

5 best spice and herbs blends for chicken and meat
  • Paprika and garlic powder. Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. ...
  • Basil and rosemary. ...
  • Ginger and lemongrass. ...
  • Turmeric and chili. ...
  • Coriander and cumin.

What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

It is very important to marinate chicken whenever you plan to cook with high, direct heat such as grilling or pan searing, as these techniques tend to dry out the meat as it cooks. A marinade is an acidic solution that gets a head start on breaking down the structure of a protein before it is cooked.

What is the healthiest thing to cook chicken with? ›

Poached Chicken

Poaching is great because it adds virtually no fat to your food, yet yields subtle flavour and moisture. To poach your chicken, add your ingredients (chicken and any other vegetables, aromatics, and spices you like) to a skillet or pot, and add a cooking liquid such as broth, wine, or coconut milk.

What carbs goes with chicken? ›

You can't go wrong with a fluffy bowl of rice or a simple tray of oven roasted broccoli. And if you love our white chicken chili, pair it with a few of Ree's delicious pepper-parmesan biscuits for dipping.

Is chicken better in skillet or oven? ›

While both baking and pan frying can give you tasty, juicy chicken, if you are in a hurry, it is better to pan fry it.
  • Because baked chicken breast is easy to dry out, it needs time to brine or marinade before you cook it. ...
  • Pan frying chicken breast is a more moist cooking method because of the oil.

Is it better to cover chicken when cooking on stove? ›

If you are cooking a chicken on top of the stove by browning in butter and then simmering, cover your chicken. If baking a cut up chicken in the oven, no cover is needed. If stewing chicken pieces on top of the stove with vegetables, cover the chicken. If roasting a chicken, roast uncovered for 3./4 hour in a 425 oven.

What temp does Gordon Ramsay cook chicken? ›

Preheat oven to 400F. Allow chicken to come to room temperature before preparing. Stand the chicken neck side down on a sheet tray with the legs upwards and facing you. Season the cavity of the chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon salt.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook boneless chicken thighs? ›

  1. Mix chicken thighs with soy sauce, rice vinegar and Shaoxing wine.
  2. Grate and add orange zest. Marinate.
  3. Heat oil. Saute ginger and garlic.
  4. Now, add spring onion, chili flakes and peppercorns.
  5. Then, add the chicken.
  6. Mix soy sauce. Cook for 30 min.
  7. Season with black pepper and salt.
  8. Garnish and serve.

How do you cut chicken like Gordon Ramsay? ›

How To Carve A Chicken, The Gordon Ramsay's Style
  1. Spread the chicken's legs and pierce the skin between the leg and the breast.
  2. Pull the leg back with your hand on top of the breast to keep it steady.
  3. Pop the bone out of the joint and then slice through.
  4. Repeat the same with the other leg.

How to cook chicken like a chef? ›

How to Make Perfectly Cooked Chicken Breasts
  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. Add olive oil to a sauté pan over high heat. ...
  3. Heat the oil until it begins to smoke lightly. ...
  4. Add the chicken breasts, turn the heat to medium-high, and cook them for 3 ½ to 4 minutes.
Oct 23, 2023

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