Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet Recipe

Introduction

This Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet is a flavorful, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender shredded chicken, zesty salsa verde, and hearty rice with vibrant spices for an easy, satisfying dish.

The dish in the image is served in a light gray pan placed on a light wooden board with a white cloth beside it. It has multiple layers, starting with a base made of shredded chicken mixed with black beans and yellow corn. On top of this is a layer of melted white cheese, which covers most of the dish and has a slightly gooey texture. The melted cheese is sprinkled with chopped fresh green herbs, likely cilantro, and a few red chili flakes. Two slices of fresh avocado are added near the top edge of the pan, partially embedded in the dish. In the background, there is a small dish with extra chopped green herbs. The scene is lit softly from the side, and the surface beneath the wooden board is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 15.5 oz salsa verde
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • 1 cup white long grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup roasted corn
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Dash of black pepper
  • 3 tbsp cilantro
  • Optional toppings: avocado, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Add the minced garlic and diced yellow onion to the pan.
  3. Step 3: Mix the chili powder, sea salt, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the garlic and onion. Cook until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in the rinsed black beans, roasted corn, shredded chicken, diced green chiles, chicken broth, salsa verde, and rice. Stir everything together to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil for 2–3 minutes, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and let cook for 15 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Check if the rice is cooked through. If not, cover and cook for additional minutes as needed.
  7. Step 7: Once the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top, cover again, and let the cheese melt for 2–3 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Remove the lid and garnish with fresh cilantro. Add avocado slices and red pepper flakes if desired.
  9. Step 9: Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful skillet meal!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño along with the onion and garlic.
  • Use brown rice instead of white rice for a nuttier flavor, but increase cooking time accordingly.
  • Swap Monterey Jack for cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a different twist.
  • To keep it vegetarian, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead.

Storage

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

How to Serve

A deep white pan filled with one thick layer of a mixed dish containing shredded chicken, black beans, and yellow corn, all covered by melted white cheese. On top, there are two slices of green avocado placed apart, sprinkled with small green cilantro leaves and tiny red chili flakes for garnish. The pan sits on a wooden table next to a small white bowl of fresh cilantro and a white cloth napkin, all set against a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie?

Yes, you can cook and shred fresh chicken breasts or thighs before adding them. Rotisserie chicken just saves time.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free chicken broth and check that your salsa verde contains no gluten additives.

Print

Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet Recipe

This Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal combining tender shredded rotisserie chicken with vibrant salsa verde, black beans, corn, and aromatic spices. Cooked on the stovetop, the rice absorbs all the delicious flavors, topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and fresh cilantro for a comforting and easy dinner.

  • Author: Mila
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 15.5 oz salsa verde
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • 1 cup white long grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup roasted corn
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • dash of black pepper
  • 3 tbsp cilantro

Optional Toppings

  • Avocado
  • Red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Add the extra virgin olive oil to a pan and heat it over medium heat to get it warm but not smoking.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic and diced yellow onion to the heated pan. Cook them until they become fragrant and start to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add spices: In a small bowl, mix chili powder, sea salt, cumin, garlic powder, and a dash of black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture over the garlic and onion in the pan, stirring briefly to release the spices’ aromas.
  4. Combine main ingredients: Pour in the rinsed and drained black beans, roasted corn, shredded chicken, diced green chiles, chicken broth, salsa verde, and white rice. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
  5. Bring to boil and simmer: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a rapid boil and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes.
  6. Check rice doneness: After 15 minutes, lift the lid and check if the rice is cooked through and has absorbed most of the liquid. If it needs more time, cover again and simmer for additional minutes as necessary.
  7. Melting cheese: Once the rice is fully cooked and liquid absorbed, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly on top, cover the pan, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes so the cheese melts perfectly.
  8. Add fresh toppings: After the cheese has melted, sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro on top. Add optional toppings like diced avocado and a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor and a bit of heat.
  9. Serve and enjoy: The dish is now ready to serve. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet hot from the pan.

Notes

  • Using rotisserie chicken is a time saver, but leftover cooked chicken can also be used.
  • Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili powder and red pepper flakes to taste.
  • If you prefer, substitute white rice with brown rice but increase cooking time accordingly.
  • Make sure to rinse and drain black beans to reduce excess sodium and improve flavor.
  • For a dairy-free version, omit the cheese or use a non-dairy cheese alternative.

Keywords: Salsa Verde Chicken, Chicken and Rice Skillet, One-Pan Dinner, Mexican Inspired, Easy Dinner Recipes

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating