Getting a delicious and healthy meal on the table during a busy week can feel like a huge challenge. I get it completely. Between work, school, and everything else, finding time to cook something everyone will actually eat is tough.
That’s where this amazing One Skillet Fiesta Chicken comes in. It’s one of my favorite Healthy Dinner Recipes For Family because it’s simple, fast, and packed with flavor. You only need one pan, which means cleanup is a breeze!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? This dish has become a staple in my home for so many reasons. First, the one skillet aspect is a dream. No piling up pots and pans in the sink. Everything cooks together beautifully in a single large skillet.
It is one of the best Healthy Weeknight Dinners you can make. From start to finish, you are looking at about 25 minutes. It’s faster than ordering takeout and so much better for you.
We are talking about a complete meal. You get lean protein from the chicken, fiber from the black beans, tons of vitamins from the bell peppers and tomatoes, and wholesome carbs from the brown rice. It’s a balanced plate without any extra effort.
The flavors are just so satisfying. It has a mild Tex Mex vibe that is totally family friendly. It’s savory and zesty with just a little warmth. Plus, you can customize the toppings, so everyone gets to make their bowl exactly how they like it.
This is truly one of those Easy Dinner Recipes For Family that you will return to again and again. It looks as good as it tastes, with bright colors from the red and green peppers making it a feast for the eyes too.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to gather for these fantastic Healthy Dinner Ideas For Family. The list is simple and uses ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried dillweed
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, use less if sensitive to spice
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 1 can reduced sodium black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained
- 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes in their juices (15 ounces)
- 1 ½ cups instant brown rice
- 1 cup low sodium chicken stock
- ¾ cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- Optional for serving: chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, plain nonfat Greek yogurt or sour cream
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make one of the most delicious and Quick And Easy Dinner Recipes? Let’s get started. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Sauté The Chicken And Spices
First, heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is shimmering slightly, it’s ready to go.
Add your bite size chicken pieces to the skillet. Sprinkle in the chopped onion and all those wonderful spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dill, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
Sauté everything together, stirring often. You’ll want to cook it for about 3 minutes. The goal is to get the chicken starting to brown on the outside. This step builds a fantastic layer of flavor right from the start.
Step 2: Add The Veggies And Liquids
Next, it’s time to add most of the remaining ingredients. Stir in the chopped red and green bell peppers, the rinsed black beans, the fire roasted tomatoes with their juices, the instant brown rice, and the chicken stock.
Give it all a good stir to make sure everything is mixed together well. The skillet will be full of color and amazing smells at this point!
Step 3: Simmer To Perfection
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. As soon as it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer.
Let it cook for 5 minutes. This gives the chicken time to cook through completely and allows the rice to become nearly tender.
Step 4: Let It Rest
This step is very important. After the 5 minutes of simmering, turn off the heat but leave the skillet on the burner. Let it stand, still covered, for another 5 minutes.
During this rest time, the rice will absorb the remaining liquid and become perfectly tender. Don’t be tempted to peek!
Step 5: Garnish And Serve
Finally, remove the lid. Give the dish a taste and adjust any seasonings if you think it needs it. Maybe a little more salt or cumin.
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top and let it melt for a minute. Then, serve it warm with any of your favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, creamy avocado, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. Enjoy your amazing skillet meal!
How To Store Leftovers
One of the best things about these kinds of Healthy Dinner Recipes For Family is that the leftovers are just as good, if not better, the next day!
To store leftovers, let the Fiesta Chicken cool completely. Then, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
When you are ready to reheat, you can warm it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. I suggest adding a splash of chicken stock or water to keep it from drying out.
You can also freeze this dish. Store it in an airtight, freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before you warm it up.
A great idea for leftovers is to wrap them in whole wheat tortillas. This makes a hearty, healthy, and filling burrito for lunch the next day.
Tips
Want to make this recipe your own? Here are a few tips to help you get the best results every time you make these Healthy Weeknight Dinners.
Feel free to switch up the veggies. If you don’t have bell peppers, you could add corn, zucchini, or even some spinach toward the end of cooking.
You are in complete control of the spice level. The recipe calls for a half teaspoon of cayenne, which gives it a mild warmth. If your family is sensitive to spice, you can use a quarter teaspoon or even leave it out. If you love heat, feel free to add a little more.
Don’t be shy with the toppings. They add so much fresh flavor and texture. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end really brightens everything up. Sliced jalapeños can add a nice kick, too.
It is really important to use instant brown rice for this recipe. Regular rice, either white or brown, will not cook in the same amount of time and will not absorb the liquid correctly. Sticking with instant rice ensures the dish turns out just right.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, delicious, and satisfying meal that the whole family can enjoy. This Fiesta Chicken is proof that Healthy Dinner Recipes For Family don’t have to be complicated or boring.
With its vibrant colors, savory flavors, and incredibly easy cleanup, it’s a recipe you’ll want to add to your regular rotation. I hope your family loves this dish as much as mine does. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Make Fiesta Chicken In A Crock Pot?
I have not personally tested this exact recipe in a slow cooker, so it would be a bit of an experiment. The cooking times and liquid amounts would need to be adjusted. If you are looking for a similar dish designed for the slow cooker, a Crockpot Mexican Casserole would be a great option.
Can I Make Instant Pot Fiesta Chicken?
Just like with the slow cooker, I have only made and tested this recipe as written for the stovetop. Preparing it in an Instant Pot would require some major changes to the recipe. For a reliable pressure cooker meal with similar flavors, I’d suggest trying an Instant Pot Mexican Casserole.
Can I Make Fiesta Chicken Without Instant Rice?
This specific recipe was developed to work with the quick cooking time of instant rice. Other types of rice, like long grain white or brown rice, take much longer to cook and would not work with these instructions. If you want to use regular rice, I suggest cooking the rice separately according to its package directions. Then you can combine it with the cooked chicken and veggie mixture at the end.
One Skillet Fiesta Chicken
This amazing One Skillet Fiesta Chicken is simple, fast, and packed with flavor. You only need one pan, which means cleanup is a breeze! It’s a balanced plate with lean protein from chicken, fiber from black beans, and vitamins from bell peppers and tomatoes. A family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add bite size chicken pieces, chopped yellow onion, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dill, kosher salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Sauté, stirring often, for about 3 minutes until chicken starts to brown.
- Stir in the chopped red bell pepper and green bell peppers, rinsed black beans, fire roasted tomatoes with their juices, instant brown rice, and chicken stock.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, but leave the skillet covered on the burner for another 5 minutes to allow the rice to absorb liquid and become tender.
- Remove the lid, taste, and adjust seasonings if needed. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top and let it melt for a minute. Serve warm with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, creamy avocado, or Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Notes
Feel free to switch up the veggies. If you don’t have bell peppers, you could add corn, zucchini, or even some spinach toward the end of cooking.
You are in complete control of the spice level. The recipe calls for a half teaspoon of cayenne, which gives it a mild warmth. If your family is sensitive to spice, you can use a quarter teaspoon or even leave it out. If you love heat, feel free to add a little more.
Don’t be shy with the toppings. They add so much fresh flavor and texture. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end really brightens everything up. Sliced jalapeños can add a nice kick, too.
It is really important to use instant brown rice for this recipe. Regular rice, either white or brown, will not cook in the same amount of time and will not absorb the liquid correctly. Sticking with instant rice ensures the dish turns out just right.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
