Fiesta Chicken Rice Skillet Onepan Taco Night
Table of Contents
Fiesta Chicken & Rice Skillet: One-Pan Taco Night!
Fancy a right tasty dinner without the washing up? I've got you. This Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice recipe is a proper winner.
It’s like a deconstructed Chicken Rice Taco but way easier. Plus, it is packed with proper Tex-Mex flavor.
One-Pan Wonder
Ever wondered where this delicious concoction came from? It's a riff on classic Tex Mex Meals , designed for busy weeknights.
It's dead easy. Prep takes 15 mins and cooking about 30. This One-Pan Chicken and Rice Recipe will give you six generous portions.
Ideal for the whole family!
Why You'll Love This Dish
This Easy Chicken and Rice Dinner is more than just convenient. It’s packed with protein and delivers a hearty dose of veggies.
The taco seasoning gives it a proper kick. I always think it’s the perfect thing for a casual get-together or a cozy night in.
What makes this Chicken Taco Skillet special? It's the sheer simplicity.
What You Will Need for Your Skillet Chicken and Rice
Right then, let’s talk ingredients. Grab some olive oil, chicken breasts, an onion, and some bell peppers. Don't forget the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and rice.
You'll also need chicken broth and cheddar cheese. Simple Hearty Dinners are about simplicity. And your favorite Taco Bowl Chicken toppings will be great.
Let's Get This Fiesta Started: Ingredients & Gear
Right, so you're ready to whip up this Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice masterpiece? Ace! Let's see what bits and bobs you'll need. Honestly, it's mostly stuff you probably already have!
Main Ingredients
Here's the shopping list for our Fiesta Chicken Rice Tacos creation. Don't sweat it, you can adjust to your liking, yeah?
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Any old olive oil will do, nothing fancy needed!
- Chicken breasts: 1 ½ pounds (680g) , cut into 1 inch cubes. Get decent quality chicken, the flavor really shines through.
- Onion: 1 medium , chopped (about 1 cup). Brown onions are great!
- Bell peppers: 1 green + 1 red , chopped (about 1 cup each). Adds great color!
- Taco seasoning: 1 packet (1 ounce/28g) . I love Old El Paso, but any brand works.
- Diced tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 ounce/411g) , undrained. Get the ones with green chilies for a kick!
- Black beans: 1 can (15 ounce/425g) , rinsed and drained. Essential for that Tex Mex Meals vibe.
- Corn: 1 can (15 ounce/425g) , drained. I use sweetcorn, but you do you!
- Long grain white rice: 1 cup (185g) , uncooked. Basmati works a treat too.
- Chicken broth: 2 cups (470ml) . Low sodium is always a good shout.
- Cheddar cheese: 1 cup (115g) , shredded. Mature cheddar is my fave.
- Optional toppings: Sour cream, salsa, avocado, chopped cilantro, lime wedges. All that good stuff.
Seasoning Notes for This Chicken Taco Skillet
This is where the magic happens. The right seasoning makes this dish SING. Think Tex Mex Meals !
Our essential spice combo? Taco seasoning, obvs! But also a pinch of cumin and chili powder. Want to liven it up? Add a dash of cayenne.
Garlic powder and onion powder will really enhance the flavour. For a quick sub, use a shop bought Tex Mex Meals spice mix.
Kit List: Equipment Needed
You don't need a ton of fancy gear for this One-Pan Chicken and Rice Recipe . Simple Hearty Dinners are great.
- Large oven safe skillet (12 inch). This is key for our Easy Chicken and Rice Dinner .
- Measuring cups and spoons. Get the measurements right!
- Cutting board. Gotta chop those veggies!
- Knife. A good chef's knife is your best friend.
Got no oven safe skillet? No worries! Just transfer everything to a baking dish after simmering on the hob. Easy peasy.
This recipe turns into a quick tasty one pan wonder.
Fiesta Chicken & Rice Skillet: One-Pan Taco Night!
Fancy a proper Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice dinner? This Fiesta Chicken & Rice Skillet is a blinder! Forget individual tacos; this One-Pan Chicken and Rice Recipe has all the Tex Mex Meals vibe you crave.
Honestly, it's a breeze to whip up, even after a long day at the office. It's perfect for that Weeknight Chicken Dinner when you just can't be bothered.
Think Chicken Rice Tacos meets ultimate convenience.
Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row
First things first, get all your ingredients prepped. Chop the onion and bell peppers. Cube the chicken. This is called mise en place and it saves a load of time.
A sharp knife is your best mate. Also, remember to rinse those beans! Safety first, eh? You don't want to be slicing a finger.
step-by-step: Skillet Chicken and Rice
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and bell peppers until soft, around 5 minutes .
- Add 1 1/2 pounds of cubed chicken. Cook until browned.
- Stir in 1 packet of taco seasoning. Cook for 1 minute to release those lovely aromas.
- Chuck in 1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained), 1 can of black beans (rinsed), 1 can of corn (drained), 1 cup of uncooked rice, and 2 cups of chicken broth. Give it a good stir.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat. Cover and cook for 20- 25 minutes , or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Cover until melted.
- Garnish with your favourite taco toppings and serve this hearty Chicken Taco Skillet immediately!
Pro Tips for the Ultimate Easy Chicken and Rice Dinner
Don't overcook the rice, start checking around 20 minutes . Mushy rice is a tragedy. Feel free to spice it up with jalapenos! Want an even quicker version? Use pre-cooked rice.
Also, if your skillet isn't oven safe, no worries - just transfer it to a baking dish. This is a Simple Hearty Dinners and you can make it ahead, cool it completely, and then reheat the next day.
Taco Bowl Chicken ? More like, "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!"
Recipe Notes for the Perfect Fiesta Chicken & Rice Skillet
Right then, before you get started on this Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice masterpiece, I've got a few notes to make sure it goes swimmingly.
Honestly, this is already such an Easy Chicken and Rice Dinner, but a few tweaks and tips can make it even better.
Think of it like adding a dash of hot sauce totally optional, but makes a real difference! We are making a Chicken Taco Skillet which is pretty awesome, but there are some steps you can follow that can help you out!
Get Your Plate Ready: Serving Suggestions
So, you've got your One-Pan Chicken and Rice Recipe , now what? For presentation, piling it high in a bowl always looks amazing.
You could also dish it out onto individual plates for a more formal feel.
A dollop of sour cream is a must, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro takes it to another level. For sides, think simple.
Guacamole and tortilla chips are a classic Tex Mex Meals combo. A simple green salad also cuts through the richness.
Or how about some Mexican street corn salad? Oh my gosh!
Leftovers? Sorted! Storage Tips
If you're lucky enough to have leftovers of this Weeknight Chicken Dinner which is totally a dream. This is one of my Simple Hearty Dinners .
Let it cool down completely first. Then, pop it into an airtight container and it will be good in the fridge for up to 3 days .
To reheat, just microwave it until piping hot. Honestly, you know when it's ready. I haven't tried freezing it, but I reckon it would work okay.
Just make sure to thaw it completely before reheating.
Spice It Up (Or Tone It Down): Variations
One of the best things about this Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice recipe is how adaptable it is. Wanna spice things up? Add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies! I've been there.
You can also swap the chicken for ground turkey for a leaner option. You know? For a vegetarian twist, ditch the chicken altogether and add more beans.
Boom, Taco Bowl Chicken . I can see it, don't worry.
If you're watching your carbs, try cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. You could even have this mixture as Chicken Rice Tacos
The Good Stuff: Nutrition Basics
Okay, so let's talk numbers. A serving of this Skillet Chicken and Rice is about 450 calories. It's also packed with protein about 35g ! It has about 20g of fat.
You also have about 35g of carbs. The high protein content will keep you feeling full and satisfied. The veggies add essential vitamins and fibre.
Also, chicken and rice is easy and good for you, and this One Pan Chicken Tacos recipe is a good take on an easy recipe.
Give this Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice recipe a whirl, and let me know what you think! Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.
You got this! I hope it goes well, and I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-cooked rice to make this Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice Taco Skillet even faster?
Absolutely! Using pre-cooked rice is a brilliant shortcut. Just stir it in with the other ingredients and reduce the simmering time to around 10 minutes, or until everything is heated through. Think of it as the "cheeky Nandos" version - quick and satisfying!
What if I don't have taco seasoning on hand? Can I still make this Fiesta Chicken & Rice Skillet?
No worries, mate! You can easily whip up your own taco seasoning. A mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper will do the trick. Adjust the ratios to your taste a bit more chili powder if you like it with a kick!
How do I store leftover Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice Taco Skillet? And how long will it last?
Leftovers are great! Let the skillet cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It'll keep for 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if it seems a bit dry. Makes a cracking lunch the next day.
Can I make this Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice Taco Skillet with brown rice instead of white rice?
You certainly can! Brown rice is a great, healthier option. However, it does take longer to cook. You'll need to increase the simmering time and possibly add more chicken broth to ensure the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Just keep an eye on it and adjust as needed.
What are some good toppings to put on this Fiesta Chicken & Rice Skillet?
The topping possibilities are endless, really. Sour cream, salsa, avocado, and chopped cilantro are all classic choices. A squeeze of lime juice adds a zesty kick. If you're feeling fancy, some crumbled tortilla chips or a dollop of guacamole would be smashing too!
I want to spice up my Easy One-Pan Chicken & Rice Taco Skillet! What can I add?
Want to crank up the heat, eh? Diced jalapeños added while sautéing the veggies will give it a good kick. You could also sprinkle some cayenne pepper in with the taco seasoning. Alternatively, use a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel) instead of plain diced tomatoes. Get that fire going!
Fiesta Chicken Rice Skillet Onepan Taco Night
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 5g |