Description
Salsa verde chicken rice skillet brings zesty Mexican-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table in one pan. Packed with tangy green salsa, tender chicken, and fluffy rice, this quick meal delivers maximum flavor without complicated cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Grains:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Sauces and Liquids:
- 1 cup salsa verde
- 2 cups chicken broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Garnishes:
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Dice 1 pound chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent.
- Stir in 1 cup long-grain rice, ensuring each grain gets coated with pan juices.
- Pour 1 cup salsa verde and 2 cups chicken broth into the skillet. Increase heat and bring mixture to a rapid boil.
- Reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice absorbs all liquid and becomes tender.
- Remove skillet from heat. Let dish rest, covered, for 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Uncover and fluff rice with a fork. Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro across the top.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick.
Notes
- Toast the rice in the skillet before adding liquids to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent clumping.
- Choose a salsa verde with the right heat level for your taste, as it dramatically influences the dish’s overall spiciness.
- For a gluten-free version, confirm your salsa verde and chicken broth are certified gluten-free before preparing.
- If you prefer a lighter meal, swap chicken thighs for chicken breast and use brown rice for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 7-10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22-27 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg