Southwest Chicken Skillet

This Southwest Chicken Skillet combines zesty Mexican-inspired flavors with the convenience of a 20-minute meal that’ll have everyone racing to the table.

Imagine tender rice cooked to perfection, infused with smoky chili powder and salsa, then loaded with protein-packed chicken and black beans. The best part? Everything melts together under a blanket of gooey cheese that’ll have you coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 1¾ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 Tbsp chili powder

Protein & Beans:

• 1½-2 cups precooked shredded chicken
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained

Toppings:

• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 2-3 green onions, sliced

Steps

1. Combine rice, salsa, shredded chicken, drained black beans, chili powder, and chicken broth in a large skillet. Stir thoroughly until well mixed.
2. Cover skillet with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a full boil over high heat. Immediately reduce to low and simmer for 15 minutes (maintain gentle simmer throughout).
3. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork – rice should be tender with no liquid remaining.
4. Top with shredded cheese, replace lid, and let sit until cheese melts (2-3 minutes). Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Smart Swaps

• Use brown rice instead of white (increase broth to 2¼ cups and cooking time to 35 minutes)
• Swap in cauliflower rice for low-carb option (reduce broth to ¾ cup)
• Try black bean corn salsa for extra Southwest flair

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace white rice with cauliflower rice (reduces carbs by 30g per serving)
• Use reduced-fat cheese (saves 3g fat per serving)
• Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers and zucchini
• Serve with avocado slices to lower glycemic impact
• Keep portions to 1 cup per serving (approximately 25g net carbs)

Pro Tips

• Toast rice in skillet before adding liquid for nuttier flavor
• Use rotisserie chicken for extra convenience
• Let rest full 5 minutes for perfect rice texture
• Store leftovers up to 4 days in airtight container