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Mexican-Style Chicken Recipe

4.9 from 140 reviews

This Mexican-Style Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts seasoned with classic Mexican spices, cooked with sweet potatoes, black beans, and fresh vegetables in a flavorful skillet dish. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro, it’s a vibrant and hearty meal perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 2 tsp light olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Vegetables and Add-ins

  • ½ cup white onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
  • 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 oz can green chiles with juice

Finishing Touches

  • ⅓ cup medium salsa (or your favorite)
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Partially Cook the Sweet Potato: Place the diced sweet potato cubes in a microwave-safe dish with ½ cup of water. Microwave on high for 4 minutes until they are partially cooked but not fully tender.
  2. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken breasts with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to evenly coat all pieces with the seasoning.
  3. Brown the Chicken and Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the light olive oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces and brown them for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 2 minutes.
  4. Combine and Simmer Ingredients: Add the partially cooked sweet potatoes, black beans, grape tomatoes, green chiles (with juice), lime juice, and salsa to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 3 minutes to warm the ingredients through and meld the flavors.
  5. Add Cheese and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and cover with a lid for a couple of minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.

Notes

  • Partially cooking the sweet potatoes in the microwave helps them finish cooking quickly in the skillet without becoming mushy.
  • You can adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild or hot salsa and green chiles.
  • Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for better melting and flavor.
  • This dish pairs well with warm tortillas or Mexican rice for a complete meal.

Keywords: Mexican chicken, chicken skillet, Mexican recipe, easy chicken dinner, skillet meal, chicken and sweet potato, black beans chicken