I know how much you appreciate easy weeknight meals that still bring plenty of flavor. That’s why I’m excited to share two fantastic recipes today that both feature Santa Fe Chicken. These are simple ways to get a delicious dinner on the table without a lot of fuss.
Whether you prefer a quick cleanup with foil packets or a single pan skillet meal, I have you covered. These recipes make weeknight cooking easy and delicious for everyone.
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets: Simple Meal Prep
This recipe makes dinner and cleanup a breeze for you. You just pack everything into foil, cook it, and enjoy a complete meal.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Foil Packet Secret: Use heavy-duty foil or double-wrap your packets. This helps prevent any leaks and ensures everything steams perfectly.
- Bell Pepper Choice: Use different colors of bell peppers, like red, yellow, and green. This adds a beautiful look to your dish and brings varied mild flavors.
What You Need
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
- 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- Lime wedges, for serving
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and slice all your vegetables. Get your black beans and corn ready from their cans.
Step 2: Assemble the Packets
Lay out four large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil on your counter. Divide the chicken, black beans, corn, bell peppers, and red onion evenly onto each piece of foil. Drizzle a little olive oil over everything and sprinkle generously with the taco seasoning.
Step 3: Cook and Serve
Fold the foil packets closed, making sure to seal them tightly at the top and sides. Place the sealed packets on a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Carefully open each packet, as steam will escape, and serve with a squeeze of fresh lime.
📝 Final Note
These foil packets are also great cooked on the grill! Just cook them over medium heat for about the same amount of time.
Easy Santa Fe Chicken Skillet: One-Pan Dinner
Get a hearty meal ready for your family in just one pan with this skillet recipe. It’s packed with chicken and veggies, making cleanup simple for you.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chicken Thighs: While chicken breast works, using boneless, skinless chicken thighs can make the chicken extra juicy and more flavorful in a skillet dish.
- Quick Sauce: A little chicken broth along with the diced tomatoes helps create a nice, rich sauce right in the pan. This brings all the flavors together quickly.
What You Need
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your diced chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until it is browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside in a bowl.
Step 2: Build the Skillet Base
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until it softens, which takes about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until you can smell it.
Step 3: Combine and Simmer
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), diced green chiles, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning. Stir everything together well. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is fully cooked.
📝 Final Note
Top this skillet dish with a dollop of sour cream, some shredded cheese, or fresh chopped cilantro before serving for extra creamy goodness.