What sides go with Santa Fe chicken?

Rice is a classic, but you can also serve it with corn salad, jalapeño slaw, or tortilla chips.

What is Santa Fe chicken?

It’s a flavorful skillet dish with seasoned chicken, tomatoes, corn, black beans, and cheese—Southwest-style comfort food.

How to make Earl’s Santa Fe chicken salad?

While this recipe is a warm skillet version, for a salad like Earl’s, you’d use grilled Santa Fe chicken sliced over greens with avocado, corn, black beans, and a creamy cilantro dressing.

How long to have chicken on the pan?

About 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Let it release naturally to avoid tearing.

Santa Fe Chicken Skillet – Easy & Flavorful Favorite

Name: Santa Fe Chicken Skillet (Easy One-Pan Recipe)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Southwest
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts, halved into 4 cutlets; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp chili powder; Salt & pepper to taste; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 medium onion, chopped; 1 (10 oz) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained; 1 (14 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed; 1 (12 oz) can corn, drained; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 cup Mexican cheese blend; Fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

Description

A quick, bold, and cheesy one-pan Santa Fe Chicken Skillet packed with juicy chicken, smoky spices, black beans, corn, and melty cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

2 large chicken breasts, halved into 4 cutlets

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp chili powder

Salt & pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 (10 oz) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained

1 (14 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 (12 oz) can corn, drained

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1 cup Mexican cheese blend

Fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and position the rack in the center.

2. Slice the chicken breasts into 4 thin cutlets and season with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, then remove from skillet.

4. Sauté onion in the same skillet for about 5 minutes, until soft and lightly browned.

5. Stir in Ro-tel tomatoes, black beans, corn, and smoked paprika. Heat through and scrape any browned bits.

6. Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon tomato mixture over the chicken.

7. Sprinkle cheese over the chicken and mixture.

8. Bake for 5–7 minutes until the chicken is 165°F and cheese is melted. Broil briefly for browning if desired.

9. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

Notes

If chicken sticks while frying, let it cook longer until it releases naturally.

Use mild Ro-tel or canned tomatoes with green chilies for less spice.

Add chopped jalapeño or poblano for a spicier or milder version.

Use any oven-proof skillet or transfer to a baking dish.

Can be sliced and served in tacos.

Pairs well with rice, avocado corn salad, or tortilla chips.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Chicken Recipes
Method: Skillet + Baked
Cuisine: Southwest

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cutlet with topping
Calories: 410
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 560mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 85mg