One Skillet Cheesy Salsa Chicken Rice Bake Recipe

Introduction

This One Skillet Cheesy Salsa Chicken Rice Bake is a flavorful, comforting meal that combines tender chicken, savory spices, and cheesy goodness all in one pan. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s easy to make and packed with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup dry broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1/2 cup chunky red salsa
• 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
• 1 can (14 ounces) black beans, drained
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack or spicy cheddar cheese
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish
• Chopped scallions, for garnish
• Cubed or sliced avocado, for serving
• Fresh limes, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a little oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, chicken pieces, and red bell pepper. Season with oregano, chipotle chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and the vegetables are softened.
2. Step 2: Add the broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta and the rice to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the pasta is lightly toasted and golden. Then, mix in the chunky salsa. Pour in 2 cups of water and add the chopped pepperoncini. Bring the mixture to a boil, then stir in the drained black beans.
3. Step 3: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Let the rice cook gently for about 15 minutes, until most of the liquid has absorbed but some remains.
4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from the heat. Evenly sprinkle the shredded Swiss and pepper jack cheeses over the top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Step 5: Serve the cheesy chicken rice bake topped with chopped cilantro, scallions, avocado, and fresh lime wedges. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful dish!

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat, or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
• Swap black beans for pinto or kidney beans if preferred.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cumin for extra depth of flavor.
• For a milder dish, reduce or omit the chipotle chili powder and pepperoncini.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the dish to a baking dish before adding cheese and baking.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water to keep the rice moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, simply omit the broken spaghetti or substitute it with a gluten-free pasta or omit pasta entirely and increase the rice amount.

What can I use if I don’t have pepperoncini?

You can substitute with mild banana peppers or chopped mild pickled jalapeños to maintain the tangy, slightly spicy flavor.

One Skillet Cheesy Salsa Chicken Rice Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 59 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x

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Description

This One Skillet Cheesy Salsa Chicken Rice Bake is a flavorful, hearty meal combining tender chicken, rice, pasta, black beans, and a medley of spices with melted cheese and fresh toppings. Perfect for a comforting dinner made using just one pan, it offers a vibrant blend of Tex-Mex inspired flavors with a cheesy, spicy kick.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Produce

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
• Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
• Chopped scallions (for garnish)
• Cubed or sliced avocado (for serving)
• Lots of fresh limes (for serving)

Protein

• 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
• 1 can (14 ounce) black beans, drained

Pantry

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup dry broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1/2 cup chunky red salsa
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack or spicy cheddar cheese

Oils and Fats

• Cooking oil or butter (quantity as needed for sautéing)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Chop all vegetables and cut chicken into chunks to prepare for cooking.
2. Sauté Chicken and Vegetables: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, chicken chunks, and red bell pepper along with oregano, chipotle chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until the chicken is browned and vegetables are softened.
3. Toast Pasta and Rice: Add the broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta and the long grain rice to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted and golden.
4. Add Salsa and Liquids: Stir in the chunky red salsa. Pour in 2 cups of water and add the chopped pepperoncini. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Add Beans and Simmer: Stir in the drained black beans. Place a lid on the skillet, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and allow to cook for 15 minutes so that the rice absorbs most of the liquid but still contains some moisture.
6. Add Cheese and Bake: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese and shredded pepper jack or spicy cheddar evenly over the chicken and rice mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve and Garnish: Remove from oven and serve topped with fresh avocado, chopped cilantro, scallions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Enjoy your cheesy, flavorful chicken rice bake!

Notes

• You can substitute chicken thighs for breast if desired for more flavor and moisture.
• If you do not have broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta, small pasta shapes like orzo or broken vermicelli can be used as a substitute.
• Add extra salsa or hot sauce if you prefer more heat.
• Using an oven-safe skillet is essential to transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Keywords: chicken rice bake, one skillet meal, cheesy chicken recipe, Tex-Mex chicken bake, easy weeknight dinner