Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet {One Pan}

One scoop of this hearty Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet will lead to many more! It's filled with all your favorite taco night ingredients, all prepared in just one pan. It can also be easily modified for different dietary needs and is great for meal prep.

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Meet the Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet

Holy guacamole, this one pan Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet is sKILLIN’ IT! 😂

For real. This skillet recipe is packed with incredible flavor. Juicy ground chicken, hearty black beans, fluffy rice, melty cheese, and taco-seasoned veggies taste EVEN BETTER when it all comes together in one pan and in under 30 minutes. Plus, toppings galore—and however you like 'em! Sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, crushed tortilla chips, salsa...you can truly dress this skillet up however you like. And I like to dress mine to the nines.

Another great thing about this dish is that it can be easily modified to fit your dietary needs. Need vegetarian, dairy free, or low carb swaps? Easy as can be. I share more on this below!

You'll want to have this Mexican Chicken Skillet in your back pocket for a busy weeknight or as a new addition to your meal prep routine. Not only is it boyfriend approved, but it's chef approved, too.

Ingredients needed for Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet

Cooking Spray: To prevent our ingredients from burning and sticking!

Ground Chicken: You could substitute ground turkey or beef if you'd like.

Onion: I think red onion works best with Mexican dishes.

Bell Peppers: I diced up a red one and an orange one for some color and crunch.

Black Beans: Another great source of protein.

Brown Rice: I used a microwavable bag for convenience.

Taco Seasoning: Grab a packet to make it easy! 

Corn: You can use fresh or frozen.

Diced Tomatoes: I used a can of diced tomatoes with jalapenos.

Mushrooms: I love mushrooms, but if you don't, don't worry. You won't even taste them. Just a great veggie to sneak in!

Shredded Cheese: Use a Mexican blend.

Garnish: You could garnish this skillet with cilantro, avocado, chips, extra cheese, sriracha, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa, or also guacamole. Options galore!

Pots, pans, and kitchen utensils needed

To make this Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet, you'll need a chef’s knife, cutting board, can opener, rubber spatula, strainer, and measuring cups and spoons.

How to make this Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet

1. I like to prepare all of the ingredients before starting the heat on the skillet. It makes it easier to focus on cooking the actual meal instead of prepping at each step. 
2. Wash and finely dice red onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Make rice according to package instructions. See notes below on dietary suggestions.
3. Heat a skillet to medium-heat and spray with cooking spray. 
4. Sauté ground chicken, red pepper, onion, and orange pepper together in the skillet. Stir constantly.
5. Next, rinse and drain canned black beans. 
6. Once the meat is about halfway done, pour in cooked rice and black beans. Then, sprinkle taco seasoning. Stir in corn. If you're using frozen corn, toss it into the skillet frozen. It will cook in the dish!
7. Add diced tomatoes and mushrooms to the skillet. Stir until there is an ingredient in every bite. 
8. By this time, the meat should be thoroughly cooked. Flatten the ingredients in the skillet and top the dish with cheese. Top with a lid for 2-4 minutes or until the cheese melts.
9. Before serving, garnish with cilantro, avocado, chips, extra cheese, sriracha, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa, and/or guacamole. You can also scoop the skillet on top of a bed of greens for a delicious salad. 
10. Enjoy!

Recipe modifications

This Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet recipe is so easy to make your own. Vegetarian? Dairy free? Low carb? No problem! You can make this dish work for you.

To make a vegetarian skillet, leave out the ground chicken. I suggest either adding an additional can of black beans or crumbling up a block of firm tofu into your skillet. Thanks to the taco seasoning, the tofu will strongly resemble ground meat!

For a dairy free skillet, leave out the cheese or use a dairy free alternative!

Need a low carb swap? Use cauliflower rice in place of brown rice. Add the cauliflower when you add peppers to the pan instead. This will give allow the veggie to cook down so you aren’t getting raw chunks of cauliflower in your final dish.

Suggestions and Questions

How do I store this Cheesy Mexican Chicken Skillet?
Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. To reheat, I recommend heating it up in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. If you need more time, stir between each warming interval until hot.

Do you have any tips for success?
Keep the pan on medium-heat and ensure nothing is getting burnt. Because we’re going to continuously add ingredients to the skillet, it’s important that each ingredient is sautéed before moving on to the next step.

How do I serve this skillet?
Using a soft spatula, scoop about ⅙ of the skillet onto a plate or into a bowl. Have your serving plate near the skillet to make the transfer because the food isn't going to stick together like a piece of pie would. Then, add all of the toppings! If you want to turn this into the most epic burrito ever, scoop the skillet fixings into a tortilla and roll it up. I’d put extra toppings outside of the tortilla if this is the route you’re taking.

What kind of corn can I use?
Frozen, fresh, or canned. If you use canned, just be sure to drain all of the liquid.

How do I make my own taco seasoning?
Toss one teaspoon each of smoked paprika, chili powder, sea salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano in a mixing bowl. Then, add a fresh crack of black pepper. Quick tip: Spices lose their potency over time, so if you’ve had that chili powder on the shelf for who knows how many years, you’re likely going to need a little extra.

More recipes you might like:

Taco Salad Bowl

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Jalapeno Ranch Taco Salad

Pico de Gallo

Homemade Guac

Spicy Feta Street Corn Dip

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved, something that you think it might need, or just say hi!

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