One Pan Mexican Chicken Skillet with Zucchini
This One Pan Mexican Chicken Skillet with Zucchini is an easy dinner ready in under 30 minutes! It’s made with simple ingredients: chicken, seasonings from the pantry, beans, zucchini, yellow squash, cheese and all the Mexican toppings! Easy weeknight chicken dinner, here I come!
If you’re looking for more tried and true Mexican recipes with chicken you’ll love this 10 Minute Sticky Mexican Chicken, Mexican Chicken Burrito Bowl, or this Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Why You’ll Love this Mexican Chicken Skillet
Even though this recipe is super simple, Mexican chicken skillet with zucchini is still a recipe you’ll be throwing into your regular dinner rotation because it’s:
- Easy. Can you chop and sit? You can make this chicken skillet! (And you can also handle this tasty Ground Beef Enchilada Skillet.)
- Healthy. Veggies, lean protein, whole grains…the gang is all here.
- Tex-Mex Inspired. Like Cafe Rio Chicken and Chopped Tex Mex Salad, these flavors are easy to love, especially for kids!
- Adaptable. This recipe is a cinch to make your own. Try different veggies, beans, no beans, meats etc and make it the way your family likes it!
Basically, if you want a simple, healthy, delicious meal that’s ready ASAP, Mexican chicken skillet is for you!
One Pan Mexican Chicken Skillet with Zucchini
I have “skeeter syndrome”. I know, it 100% sounds made up. Basically everyone gets mosquito bites and hates the itch, but I have the blessing of being extra, EXTRA allergic.
We sat outside talking to some friends for a quick 15 minutes and I came in with 9 mosquito bites that by the next day were each the size of a tennis ball.
Taco Tuesday Idea
We love Taco Tuesday as a family, so the last time I sprung this chicken recipe on my family for a new Taco Tuesday idea you’d think I broke hearts across the table! Even with baseball arms I needed to get something quick and easy and Mexican inspired on the table.
And guess what, even without the tortillas, they loved it!! Like, asked-for-seconds, loved it! And we’ve been making it again, and again, and again ever since. Hello, one pot meals are pretty much gold am I right?. Mexican side dish recipes to go with the meal are even better.
The Ingredients
- Chicken. I always keep a few chicken breasts and thighs in my freezer for quick one-pan recipes like this easy Mexican chicken.
- Pinto Beans. Adds fiber and protein!
- Zucchini and Squash. Who wants to worry about a side, this is a one-pot-wonder!
- Spices. You can’t have a Mexican dish without flavor.
- Tomatoes. I like to throw in tomatoes which lighten things up.
- Cheese. No explanation needed.
- Toppings. Always add all the toppings like avocado and lime juice!
Carrian’s Notes
Substitutions
Dark and light meat both work there. Another great option is this Mexican Street Corn Chicken dish with chicken thighs (or breasts as you prefer).
- Zucchini. Feel free to use yellow or green instead of both.
- Beans. My secret to getting this one-pan wonder on the table in under 30 minutes is to ditch the bigger, longer cooking ingredients and instead go for a fiber option like beans.
- Spices. The key to quick meals is to well season them so you don’t need a lot of ingredients but still get the flavor.
- Cheese. Use any cheese you love!
How to Make One Pan Mexican Chicken Skillet with Zucchini
- Brown the Chicken and Seasonings. (Adding seasonings to a hot pan “blooms” the flavor even more.) Remove from pan.
- Saute zucchini and onions.
- Toast the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble everything back in the pan along with the pinto beans and chicken broth. It’s almost time to eat!
- Sprinkle the top with cheese and place under a broiler or add a lid on top to melt the cheese.
- Garnish according to tastes with cilantro, avocado and more!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken stock or water to keep it from drying out. Add a little squeeze of lime to help freshen it up.
- To Freeze. Place leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat.
Watch How this Recipe is Made…
Print
One Skillet Chicken
Description
This One Pan Mexican Chicken Skillet with Zucchini is an easy dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Course 100 Family Favorite Easy Healthy Recipes, Mom’s Best 100 Easy Chicken Recipes
Keyword casserole, chicken, chicken and rice, mexican, mexican chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 167kcal
Author Carrian Cheney
In a pan over medium high heat, add a drizzle of oil and add in the chicken and seasonings, stirring to combine. Turn heat down to medium and cook until cooked through about five minutes. Remove to a plate.
Olive Oil, 2 Chicken Breasts, 1 teaspoon Cornstarch, 1 ½ teaspoons Cumin, 1 teaspoon Chili Powder, ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher Salt, ¼ teaspoon Pepper, ½ teaspoon Oregano
Turn up to medium high. Add another drizzle of olive oil and add the zucchini and onions, stirring every 2 minutes until browned.
Olive Oil, 1 Zucchini, 1 Yellow Squash, ½ Red, Yellow or White Onion
Add the garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3 Cloves Garlic, Salt and Black Pepper
Add back in the chicken along with the pinto beans and chicken broth and stir to combine.
1 Can Pinto Beans, ⅓ Cup Chicken Broth
Bring to a simmer for three minutes.
Sprinkle the top with cheese and place under a broiler or add a lid on top to melt the cheese.
1 Package Tillamook Spicy Mexican Cheese Blend
Serve with tomatoes, avocados, and cilantro as garnish with a squeeze of lime juice eat in bowls or using chips to scoop.
½ Cup Tomatoes, 1 Avocado, Cilantro, ½ Lime
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 732mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 501IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
READ: One Pan Mexican Chicken Skillet with Zucchini