Description
This One-skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice recipe is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish combining ground chicken, vibrant vegetables, and zesty spices all cooked together with rice in a single skillet. Topped with melted Mexican cheeses and fresh garnishes, it’s a comforting and colorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 poblano pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups salsa verde
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
- 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheeses (cheddar, pepper jack, colby jack blend)
For Serving
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Baby basil leaves or chopped cilantro
- Chopped scallions
- Cubed or sliced avocado
- Lots of fresh limes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F to prepare for melting the cheese later in the dish.
- Cook Chicken and Veggies: In a large oven-safe skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the ground chicken, chopped onion, and poblano pepper along with smoked paprika, chipotle chile powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 10 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the chicken is browned and vegetables have softened.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the rice, then add salsa verde, hot sauce, sliced zucchini, corn, and 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil on the stovetop.
- Simmer Covered: Place a lid on the skillet and reduce heat to the lowest setting. Let the rice cook for 15 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed but still a little moisture remains.
- Top With Cheese and Bake: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top, then transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve: Spoon portions onto plates and top with plain Greek yogurt, avocado, fresh basil or cilantro, chopped scallions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Enjoy while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef for the chicken if preferred.
- Use fresh salsa verde for brighter flavor or store-bought for convenience.
- Adjust hot sauce amount depending on your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add extra vegetables or beans.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the cooked mixture to a baking dish before adding cheese and baking.
- Leftovers reheat well in a skillet or microwave the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
