This vibrant and flavorful one-pan meal brings together tender rotisserie chicken, fluffy rice, and zesty salsa verde in a satisfying skillet that your whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a nutritious dinner on the table fast, this Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet for Your Family combines convenience with bold Mexican-inspired flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet for Your Family is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution that checks all the boxes. You’ll appreciate how everything cooks together in one pan, creating layers of flavor while minimizing cleanup. The recipe uses convenient rotisserie chicken, cutting your prep time significantly while still delivering a homemade taste that rivals your favorite Mexican restaurant. The combination of tangy salsa verde, creamy Monterey Jack cheese, and hearty black beans creates a well-balanced meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Plus, it’s easily customizable to accommodate different spice preferences and dietary needs within your family.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 15.5oz salsa verde
- 1 can (4oz) 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
How to Make Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Base Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 2: Add Rice and Seasonings Stir in the white long grain rice, ensuring each grain is coated with the oil and aromatics. Add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Toast the rice and spices for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Step 3: Add Liquids Pour in the chicken broth and salsa verde, stirring to combine. Add the diced green chiles and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 4: Add Protein and Vegetables Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken, black beans, and roasted corn. Mix gently to distribute evenly throughout the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until everything is heated through.
Step 5: Finish and Serve Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top. Cover and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with optional toppings like sliced avocado and red pepper flakes.
Helpful Tips:
Choose the right rice for best results – long grain white rice works perfectly for this recipe as it maintains its texture and doesn’t become mushy. Avoid using instant rice, which can become overly soft and sticky. When selecting rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and shred it into bite-sized pieces for even distribution throughout the skillet.
Don’t skip the step of toasting the rice with the aromatics, as this creates a deeper flavor foundation and helps prevent the rice from becoming gummy. If your salsa verde is particularly mild, consider adding an extra can of diced green chiles or a pinch of red pepper flakes to boost the heat level.
For the best cheese melt, remove the skillet from heat before adding the cheese and let the residual heat do the work. This prevents the cheese from becoming stringy or separating.
Details:
This recipe serves 4-6 people generously and takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. The prep time is minimal at just 10 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic weeknight schedules. The one-pan cooking method means less cleanup while still delivering restaurant-quality flavors.
The nutritional profile is well-balanced, providing protein from the chicken and beans, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and healthy fats from the olive oil and cheese. Each serving contains approximately 450 calories and offers a good source of fiber, protein, and essential vitamins.
