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 make chicken very soft and tender? ›

The best tenderizer though, is a salted yogurt marinade. The salt has the same effect as in a regular brine, but the lactic acid in the yogurt further tenderizes the meat. A 15-minute marinade with one cup of yogurt and one teaspoon of salt makes for the most tender chicken breasts imaginable.

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

The longer you marinate, the better. Seal the chicken in your marinade for two to three hours minimum. However, overnight is ideal. It allows the chicken enough time to absorb the flavor and moisture without losing any liquid content or tenderness during cooking.

Should you brown chicken before making curry? ›

For this Indian curry, the sauce is simmered together first to meld the flavors, then the chicken is added to the sauce. This prevents the chicken from getting overcooked and dry. My Thai curries call for browning the chicken, then adding it to the sauce later, this also prevents dry chicken.

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 makes it airline chicken? ›

Airline chicken or airline chicken breast is a cut of chicken composed of the boneless chicken breast with the drumette attached. The breast is skin-on, and the first wing joint and tendon are attached while the rest of the breast is boneless.

What is the best way to soften chicken? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

How do Chinese make chicken so tender? ›

Chinese stir-fried chicken is extra tender due to the velveting technique. Chicken is sliced into thin, even-sized pieces and then marinated briefly in a mix of baking soda, cornstarch, wine, and seasoning. This seals in moisture and tenderizes the chicken.

How to cook chicken so it falls apart? ›

There's an easy and quick way to get shreddable chicken fast and shredding it is no pain at all.
  1. Poach your chicken. Poaching is the best way to cook chicken for shredding. ...
  2. Shred it. Once chicken is cool enough to handle, use two forks and pull breasts apart.
Mar 2, 2022

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6043

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.