If you crave a dish that’s packed with bold Southwest flavor, weeknight ease, and irresistible cheesy goodness, look no further than Santa Fe Chicken. This one-skillet wonder brings together juicy chicken, black beans, sweet corn, zesty tomatoes, and melty cheese in a colorful medley that makes dinnertime feel extra special—no matter how busy your schedule is. Whether you’re meal-prepping, feeding a crowd, or simply craving something deliciously comforting, Santa Fe Chicken is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that proves you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to get big flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how just a handful of simple pantry staples come together to make Santa Fe Chicken a celebration for your tastebuds. Each ingredient in this recipe adds its own unique pop of color, texture, and bold, zesty flavor to the final dish.

Olive oil: Just a tablespoon is enough to sauté the chicken and infuse the skillet with rich, savory depth.
Chicken breasts: Slicing them into strips ensures they cook quickly and stay incredibly tender—plus, they soak up every bit of seasoning.
Black beans: These bring satisfying creaminess and a protein boost while soaking up all those delicious Southwest spices.
Corn: Sweet, juicy kernels add a burst of color and pop with every bite, perfectly balancing the heat and savory notes.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles: The combination of tangy tomatoes and mild green chiles gives that signature Santa Fe Chicken kick.
Salsa: Choose your favorite! It ties the whole mixture together with flavorful moisture and zing.
Chili powder: Packs the punch of Southwest flavor and a lovely rust-red color.
Cumin: Brings deep, earthy warmth that’s essential to Tex-Mex classics.
Garlic powder: Gives a mild garlicky background without overpowering the dish.
Onion powder: Rounds out the flavors with a touch of sweetness and savoriness.
Salt: Enhances every single flavor and ties them together.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of sharpness and balances the spice.
Shredded Mexican blend cheese: Melts lusciously over the top, delivering that gooey finish everyone fights over.
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional): The perfect bright, herbal garnish that brings color and freshness to your Santa Fe Chicken.

How to Make Santa Fe Chicken

Step 1: Sauté and Season the Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add your chicken strips and sprinkle them with the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Let the magic happen as the spices bloom and lightly crisp onto the chicken, making your kitchen smell absolutely mouthwatering. Stir occasionally so every bite gets perfectly seasoned and the chicken cooks evenly—about 5 to 6 minutes will do the trick until each piece is beautifully browned and cooked through.

Step 2: Add the Veggies and Beans

Now comes the heart of Santa Fe Chicken: pour in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and salsa. Stir everything together, letting all those colors swirl and combine. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes, just until it’s heated through and the flavors are mingling. The sauce should be lively and a little saucy—perfect for spooning over rice or scooping with tortilla chips later on.

Step 3: Melt the Cheese

Evenly sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese right over the hot chicken mixture in the skillet. Cover the pan and give it 2 to 3 minutes—just enough time for the cheese to turn irresistibly gooey and melty on top. This step is pure cozy comfort, so don’t rush it! If you like, sprinkle with fresh cilantro just before serving for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

How to Serve Santa Fe Chicken

Garnishes

The finishing touches can truly elevate Santa Fe Chicken. A shower of chopped fresh cilantro adds brightness, while a few slices of ripe avocado or dollops of sour cream offer cool, creamy counterpoints to the dish’s gentle spice. A squeeze of fresh lime is always welcome for that citrusy lift!

Side Dishes

This dish is famously versatile and loves friendly company. Serve it over fluffy white or brown rice, stuff it into warm tortillas for the ultimate wraps, or simply pile it high atop crunchy tortilla chips for a swoon-worthy nacho platter. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, go for cauliflower rice or tuck it into crisp lettuce wraps for a fresh, low-carb take.

Creative Ways to Present

Santa Fe Chicken is prime material for fun, interactive meals. Set up a DIY taco bar with your favorite fixings so everyone can customize their own soft or crunchy tacos. Turn leftovers into a loaded quesadilla or serve it as a hearty, colorful topping for baked sweet potatoes—the possibilities are nearly endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve enjoyed your Santa Fe Chicken, let any leftovers cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will stay fresh and tasty in your fridge for up to 4 days—which means you’ve got a delicious head start on lunches or quick dinners all week!

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead for those extra busy weeks, Santa Fe Chicken freezes beautifully. Simply spoon it into a freezer-safe container, label, and freeze for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

When you’re ready for round two (or three!), reheat Santa Fe Chicken gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally. If it looks a little dry, add a splash of broth or extra salsa to bring back that saucy goodness. Top with a fresh sprinkle of cheese or cilantro if desired to revive every bite.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and tons of flavor. Just slice them into strips like you would the breasts and follow the same cooking instructions. They’re a fantastic swap if you love richer, darker meat.

Is Santa Fe Chicken very spicy?

This dish is flavorful but not overly spicy; the mild chili powder and green chiles provide a gentle warmth. If you want to turn up the heat, toss in a diced jalapeño or use a spicy salsa!

What are some variations I can try?

Santa Fe Chicken can be endlessly customized. Add sautéed bell peppers for sweetness and crunch, swap in kidney beans, or stir in brown rice for extra heartiness. For an all-veggie option, substitute diced zucchini or mushrooms for the chicken.

Can I make Santa Fe Chicken in advance?

Yes! It’s a meal-prep champion. You can fully cook the recipe, cool, and store it in the fridge or freezer. It reheats like a dream and the flavors get even better the next day.

How do I make this recipe gluten free?

Santa Fe Chicken is naturally gluten free as written! Just double-check your salsa and canned ingredients to make sure there are no hidden gluten sources, and serve with gluten free sides like rice or corn tortillas.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dish that brings restaurant-worthy flavor to your own kitchen with effortless steps and minimal cleanup, you truly have to try Santa Fe Chicken. It’s just the right mix of comforting, colorful, and downright delicious—become the hero of your next mealtime and share this new favorite with friends and family!

Santa Fe Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Santa Fe Chicken is a flavorful Tex-Mex dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices, topped with melted cheese. This easy one-pan meal is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

Veggies and Beans:

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1/2 cup salsa

Seasonings:

1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Additional:

1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add chicken strips, season with spices, and cook until browned.
Add Ingredients: Stir in black beans, corn, tomatoes with chiles, and salsa. Simmer until heated through.
Melt Cheese: Sprinkle cheese over the top, cover, and cook until melted.
Finish and Serve: Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice, in tortillas, or with chips.

Notes

This dish is great for meal prep and can be customized with bell peppers, jalapeños, or brown rice.
For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southwestern