Hello, welcome to my beautiful world! My name is Prisca Bush. I am a food lover; I enjoy writing about my favorite recipes.

Introduction

Some recipes become part of your weekly rotation without you even realizing it. That’s exactly what happened with this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe in my home. The first time I made it, it was purely out of necessity—I had chicken thawing, a few peppers, some black beans, corn, and a jar of salsa that needed to be used. I threw everything into a skillet, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.

What came out of that pan was so unexpectedly delicious that it instantly became a family favorite. Bold flavors, tender chicken, colorful veggies, comforting black beans, melted cheese, and that irresistible Southwest spice blend—it checked all the boxes.

Over time, I perfected the recipe, adjusting seasonings, adding fresh lime at the end, and experimenting with toppings like avocado, cilantro, and sour cream. Now it’s one of the dishes I turn to whenever I need something quick, flavorful, and satisfying without making a mess of my kitchen.

If you love Tex-Mex flavors, hearty one-pan meals, and easy weeknight dinners that still feel exciting, this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe is meant for you. Let’s dive into this vibrant, comforting recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

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Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe (2026)

Ingredients for Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe

For the Chicken

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For the Skillet Mixture

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 small red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 oz) Rotel or diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 cup salsa (your choice of mild, medium, or hot)
1 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 lime
1 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend, cheddar, or Monterey Jack)

For Garnishing

Fresh cilantro
Sliced avocado
Sour cream
Lime wedges
Crushed tortilla chips
Diced green onions

How to Prepare Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe

1. Prepare and Season the Chicken

Pat chicken dry and cut into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, toss with:

Salt
Pepper
Chili powder
Cumin
Smoked paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cayenne (optional)

Make sure each piece is evenly coated in spices.

2. Brown the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes, allowing it to brown lightly.

You don’t need to cook it through here—it will finish in the sauce.

Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

3. Sauté the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed.
Add:

Bell peppers
Red onion

Sauté for 4 minutes, until softened slightly.

Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.

4. Add Corn, Beans, and Tomatoes

Pour in:

Corn
Black beans
Rotel or diced tomatoes with green chilies

Stir and allow the mixture to heat through.

5. Add Salsa and Broth

Mix in:

Salsa
Chicken broth

Stir well to combine.

These ingredients create the delicious, saucy base of your Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe.

6. Return Chicken to the Skillet

Add the browned chicken back into the skillet, ensuring pieces are submerged in the sauce.

Bring mixture to a simmer.

7. Simmer Until Thickened

Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
This allows:

Chicken to finish cooking
Flavors to meld
Sauce to reduce slightly

If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash more broth.

8. Add Cheese

Turn off heat and sprinkle shredded cheese over the skillet.

Cover and allow cheese to melt for 2–3 minutes.

9. Finish with Fresh Lime and Garnishes

Squeeze lime juice over the top.

Add fresh cilantro and any toppings you love:

Avocado
Sour cream
Tortilla chips
Extra cheese

Serve hot and enjoy!

How to Serve Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe

One of the reasons this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe is loved so much is its versatility. You can serve it in so many ways that it truly never gets boring.

1. Serve Over Rice

The saucy, cheesy mixture is perfect spooned over:

Cilantro lime rice
White rice
Brown rice
Mexican rice

2. Serve with Tortillas

Use flour or corn tortillas and turn the skillet into:

Tacos
Burritos
Quesadillas

3. Serve as a Bowl

Layer:

Rice or quinoa
Santa Fe chicken mixture
Avocado and toppings

4. Serve as a Dip

Believe it or not, this skillet makes an incredible dip:

Serve with tortilla chips
Add extra cheese on top
Keep warm in a cast-iron skillet

Perfect for game day!

5. Make It a Salad

Serve over chopped romaine with:

Corn
Avocado
Salsa
Crushed tortilla chips

A lighter option that still tastes indulgent.

6. Serve with Potatoes

Spoon Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe over baked potatoes or sweet potatoes for a satisfying twist.

Tips for the Best Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe

1. Use Chicken Thighs for Maximum Tenderness

They stay juicier and hold up well in saucy dishes.

2. Don’t Skip the Browning Step

It adds amazing flavor depth to the final dish.

3. Adjust Spice Levels

Use mild salsa for a family-friendly dish or add jalapeños for heat.

4. Add Cheese at the End

Melting cheese over the finished skillet gives it the perfect ooey-gooey topping.

5. Control the Sauce Thickness

If you want:

Thicker sauce → simmer uncovered
Thinner sauce → add more broth

6. Use a Cast-Iron Skillet

It distributes heat evenly and keeps the meal warm for longer.

7. Fresh Lime Is Key

It lifts the flavors and balances the richness.

8. Add Veggies

Zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or kale work beautifully in this dish.

9. Meal-Prep Friendly

Makes great leftovers and reheats wonderfully.

10. Make It Creamy

Stir in ¼ cup cream cheese near the end for a creamier version.

Variations

This Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe is incredibly easy to adapt. Try one of these fun twists:

1. Santa Fe Chicken and Rice Skillet

Add 1 cup uncooked rice and 1 extra cup chicken broth.

Simmer until rice is tender.

2. Creamy Santa Fe Chicken

Stir in:

¼ cup cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream

Ultra-rich and indulgent.

3. Low-Carb / Keto Santa Fe Chicken

Skip the beans and corn.

Add:

Zucchini
Mushrooms
Spinach

Serve over cauliflower rice.

4. Vegetarian Santa Fe Skillet

Replace chicken with:

Tofu
Chickpeas
Extra veggies
Meatless chicken strips

5. Santa Fe Turkey Skillet

Replace chicken with turkey breast or leftover turkey.

6. Santa Fe Shrimp Skillet

Add shrimp in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

7. Spicy Version

Add:

Fresh jalapeños
Chipotle peppers in adobo
Hot salsa

8. Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken

Add all ingredients (except cheese and lime).

Cook on low for 6-7 hours.

Add cheese and lime before serving.

9. Santa Fe Pasta Skillet

Add cooked pasta at the end.

Or cook noodles in the skillet by adding extra broth.

10. One-Pan Enchilada Style

Add enchilada sauce and top with tortillas before baking for 10 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, but thaw fully before cooking so it browns properly.

2. Can I make this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely. This recipe reheats beautifully.

3. How long do leftovers last?

Up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

4. Can I freeze this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe?

Yes! Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

5. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes—add at step 6 and reduce simmer time.

6. Is this dish spicy?

Only mildly. You control heat by choosing:

Mild or spicy salsa
Adding jalapeños or cayenne

7. What cheese works best?

Mexican blend, pepper jack, or sharp cheddar.

8. Can I skip the cheese?

Sure. It’s still delicious without it.

9. Can I use different beans?

Yes—pinto or kidney beans work well.

10. Can I substitute salsa with something else?

You can use:

Enchilada sauce
Taco sauce
A mixture of crushed tomatoes + spices

Final Thoughts

The Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe is the kind of recipe that deserves a spot in every home cook’s collection. It’s hearty, colorful, bursting with flavor, and adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand. I love how it manages to look vibrant and taste bold without requiring complicated techniques or endless dishes. With just one skillet, you can create something that feels satisfying enough for a special dinner yet easy enough for weeknights.

What I appreciate most about this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe is how family-friendly and crowd-pleasing it is. It’s become one of my go-to meals when I want something delicious and reliable, but also when I want to impress guests with minimal effort. The combination of spiced chicken, veggies, beans, cheese, and salsa creates a Southwest-inspired masterpiece that’s comforting, fun, and incredibly flavorful.

So, whether you serve it over rice, wrapped in tortillas, or straight from the skillet with toppings piled high, this Santa Fe Chicken Skillet Recipe is sure to become one of your favorites too. It’s warm, bold, hearty, and endlessly customizable—everything a great meal should be.

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