When time is of the essence, a quick skillet dinner fits the bill in our house.
This particular recipe is one that I keep coming back to; it’s easy, effortless and ready in under 30 minutes.
It’s a mix of ground chicken sautéed with onions, garlic, and a dash of homemade Mexican spice blend from my cookbook.
Plump cherry tomatoes are thrown in towards the end, which melt into the skillet creating a juicy and flavorful sauce. Black beans and fragrant chopped parsley finish the dish.
Use my ingredients as a guide, but choose whatever ingredients you have on hand. Zucchini, bell pepper, corn and scallions would be great additions. For a fun vegetarian version, try swapping out the chicken for meaty portobellos mushrooms, or a mix of interesting field mushrooms. Even two types of beans would be nice…
This was served with leftover cauliflower rice (which adds additional time to the recipe if cooking fresh) but quick-cooking Jasmine rice would work too. The filling is excellent for burritos with Greek yogurt, avocado and sharp cheddar cheese, too!
See the possibilities?
I should also mention that this recipe is naturally gluten free, grain free and paleo friendly (minus the beans).
What are you cooking lately that’s fast, fresh and easy?
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Kitchen Notes
Tips: I do not specify an amount for the Mexican spice blend. Spice blends vary in taste from garlicky, salty, to spicy. The recipe in my book is very flavorful but not overkill. Whatever blend you use, I suggest using a little bit at a time, to taste, until the dish is seasoned to your liking.
Substitutions: You can go crazy here. As mentioned above, use whatever ingredients you have on hand but don’t overcrowd the pan. The idea is to keep it easy on yourself. Plus, too many ingredients will make the dish watery, and nobody likes watery Mexican skillets.
Make-Ahead: This can be made 1 day in advance. Reheat gently in a non-stick skillet or in a pan with a touch of olive oil. Add additional herbs to brighten the flavor.
Print20 minute mexican skillet chicken
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces (red or yellow)
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 1/4 lbs ground chicken or turkey, mix of white and dark meat for best flavor
- Mexican spice blend (from my cookbook) or an all-natural taco seasoning of your choice, to taste
- 1 cup whole cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked black beans, (approximately 1/2 can, rinsed & drained)
- 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
* Serve with cauliflower rice or quick-cooking Jasmine rice, optional
Instructions
- In a large 10-inch skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions and garlic. Sauté until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken. Sprinkle with Mexican spice blend and sauté, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and continue to sauté until the tomatoes begin to burst and the chicken is cooked through. Taste, and season with additional spice blend to your liking.
- Add the black beans and parsley. Stir gently to warm through.
- When ready to eat, serve warm straight from the skillet with cauliflower rice or Jasmine rice, if using.
Comments
GINA RUBEN says
I make a taco salad with a mix very similar to yours. Just put it on a bed of lettuce with avocado, sliced olives, a dollop of sour cream, and any taco sauce or salsa you like.
Emilie says
Sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
I love doing Mexican (usually tacos) when I need to get a fast dinner on the table. This skillet looks wonderful – and I love that it’s so versatile and easy to substitute too!
Victoria says
I love your photography! I’ve been following since December and every post is beautifully laid out. I’ve just started my own blog alexandersmom.com creating healthy recipes for children and I would be honored if you checked it out. Thanks! Victoria
Emilie says
Welcome Victoria, thank you! I’d love to check out your blog- sounds wonderful. :)
Jayme | holly & flora says
I really love the way you write your recipes. They’re so un-intimidating, so informative, and so FUN. I’m 100% down for skillet meals. In fact, I’ve made two this weekend, so far. One-dish meals make cooking so inviting and casual and cozy. Keep these up, Emilie! PS – I’m on round two of my sourdough bread! AND I’m actually babysitting a friend’s sourdough starter, while she is away in Paris for an internship. FUN! AND THANK YOU! Bigtime Xs and Os your way.
Emilie says
Really?! Thank you! It’s so hard to see yourself and how you come across when you’re on the inside, you know? I really appreciate it Jayme. And I’d love to hear more about your skillet meals- I’m always down for new dinner ideas!
Have fun with your baking adventures! Yay! You must keep me posted. I live for this kind of stuff ;)
Vicki Yosh says
I can’t wait to make this! It looks amazing. Looking forward to it with a dab of Guac on top!!
Emilie says
That would be perfect, Vicki! Hope you are doing well :) x
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I am all for a quick skillet meal, especially when it looks this gorgeous!
Emilie says
Thank you Laura! xo
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well says
I love how well you translate your quick and impromptu ways of cooking here on your blog Emilie! Sometimes its easy to forget to focus on the gems you discover everyday as oppose to the fancy things we try to create. Case in point with your gorgeous meal here. Way to keep inspiring! Have a gorgeous weekend friend <3
Emilie says
Hello Jessie! I really appreciate that, you have no idea. This was such a quick creation, I was hesitant to post because it only had one picture. But then I thought, hey! This is real life. And we really do eat this. So, thank you for the vote of confidence! xoxo
Gretchen says
This is definitely a skillet meal we can devour! I could see us turning it into burritos, a favorite with the boys.
Emilie says
I can just picture those cute little faces eating up their dinner! xo
Cristie says
Sounds great. I’m always on the look out for quick weeknight meals.
Emilie says
Hello Cristie! Thank you! I can’t enough of them either- I’m like a puddle by the end of the day. Quick and easy to the rescue! ;)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
So quick and easy Emilie! Perfect for those busy weeknights! Putting this one on my list! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful weekend!
Emilie says
Hello Mary Ann! Wonderful! This really is a quick and easy meal for when you’re super busy. But the best part really, is that it’s effortless. It takes very little thought to throw together. I hope you enjoy! xx
Megan S. says
I’ve never used ground chicken before; I’ll have to try it. I like the idea of making this and using leftovers for burritos!
Emilie says
Hi Megan! It’s wonderful! Ground chicken cooks quite fast, which is great, and we like to use a mix of white & dark meat for best flavor. But you can use whatever you prefer! Enjoy :)
Chelsea@RunningWithaWhisk says
Skillet meals are perfect for those extra-busy nights! I usually make my Mexican skillets with ground turkey, but love the idea of trying ground chicken. Thanks for sharing!
Emilie says
Hello Chelsea! Aren’t they? Ground turkey would definitely work (there’s a note in the recipe!) but using ground chicken is a nice change. It all works!
Jennifer says
I have been into cauliflower rice lately. This sounds perfect with that! I like the Mexican flair and I for sure like quick!
Emilie says
Hi Jennifer! I absolutely adore cauliflower rice. Apparently, Trader Joe’s sells it now too and my local store can’t keep it in stock- people call ahead and reserve their bags. And it’s grilled cauliflower rice ;) The regular version is very easy to make at home (although a bit messy) but worth it. I might try the grilled version this summer!
Aysegul says
Ah I love how easy peasy is this dish Emilie. So beautiful and mouthwatering, as always. <3
Emilie says
Hello friend! Thank you! I really do make this quite often, vary the base recipe with whatever we have, or needs to be used up. Easy & simple! xo
Laney (Ortensia Blu) says
Great skillet recipe! With cheese and avocado of course, too!
Emilie says
Thank you! It’s delicious with cheese and avocado- even a yummy guacamole too. xoxo