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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Chop all vegetables and cut chicken into chunks to prepare for cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
