Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini (Print Version)
A vibrant one-pan Tex-Mex dish with chicken, zucchini, black beans, and melted cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium zucchinis, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
→ Spices and Seasoning
10 - 2 tsp chili powder
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
14 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Dairy
16 - 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
→ Other
17 - 2 tbsp olive oil
18 - Juice of 1 lime
# How To Make:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with half the chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
02 - In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and jalapeño; cook for 1 minute.
03 - Stir in zucchini and cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes until zucchini is just tender.
04 - Return chicken to the pan. Add black beans and sprinkle with remaining spices. Mix to combine and cook for 2 more minutes to heat through.
05 - Remove from heat. Squeeze lime juice over the top and sprinkle with cheese. Cover for 2 minutes until cheese is melted.
06 - Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The spices create this incredible depth that tastes like it simmered for hours
- Its forgiving and flexible, perfect for those nights when creativity is running low
02 -
- Dont overcrowd the pan when searing chicken or it will steam instead of develop that gorgeous golden crust
- The lime juice at the end is non negotiable, it transforms the entire dish
- Resist the urge to stir constantly when vegetables are cooking, let them develop some color
03 -
- Prep all ingredients before you start cooking, this dish moves fast once the heat is on
- Let the pan get properly hot before adding ingredients, thats where the flavor lives