Description
This Santa Fe Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make meal featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a vibrant mix of black beans, corn, and salsa, baked to perfection and finished with melted Mexican cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner and served with optional garnishes like sour cream, avocado, and lime wedges.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bean and Vegetable Mix
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 cup salsa (your favorite kind)
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Optional: Sour cream, avocado slices, lime wedges, tortillas or rice for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Sear each chicken breast for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned, but not fully cooked. Then transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare bean mixture: In a bowl, combine the drained and rinsed black beans with the drained corn and salsa. Mix thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Add toppings and bake: Pour the bean and salsa mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Melt cheese topping: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the chicken, and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the baked chicken with fresh cilantro. Serve with optional sides like sour cream, avocado slices, lime wedges, and warm tortillas or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken during searing since it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Use your favorite salsa variety to adjust the flavor profile to your taste, such as mild, medium, or hot.
- For extra spice, add diced jalapeños to the bean mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This dish pairs well with a refreshing side salad or Mexican rice for added texture and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
