Quick Mexican weeknight dinner (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Protein & Grains
01 -
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 -
1 cup long-grain white rice
03 -
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
04 -
1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
→ Veggies & Aromatics
05 -
1 medium onion, diced
06 -
1 bell pepper, diced (red or green)
07 -
Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (for garnish)
08 -
1 lime, juiced
→ Seasonings
09 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 -
1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 -
1 teaspoon chili powder
12 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
13 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Optional Toppings
14 -
Sliced avocado
15 -
Shredded cheese
16 -
Dollop of sour cream
17 -
Sliced jalapeños
# Instructions:
01 -
Toss those chicken pieces in a bowl with the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Let them hang out for a minute while you chop the veggies.
02 -
Grab your largest skillet or pan and heat up the olive oil until it's nice and hot. Toss in the seasoned chicken and let it brown up for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. You want those tasty browned bits!
03 -
Once your chicken is looking golden and cooked through, drop in those diced onions and bell peppers. They'll soak up all that chicken flavor as they soften. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for another 3-4 minutes.
04 -
Now for the hearty stuff! Stir in the rice, making sure it gets coated in all those flavors. Then add your drained black beans and corn, giving everything a good mix so it's all evenly distributed.
05 -
Pour in about 1.5 cups of water or chicken broth (broth adds more flavor if you have it). Bring it up to a boil, then immediately drop the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer away for 15-20 minutes until the rice has soaked up all that liquid and is tender.
06 -
Take the lid off and fluff everything up with a fork. Squeeze that fresh lime juice all over and scatter a handful of chopped cilantro across the top. Now's the time to add any toppings you like - some creamy avocado slices, a sprinkle of cheese, or a dollop of sour cream all work great.
# Notes:
01 -
This meal is perfect for meal prep - it actually tastes even better the next day once all the flavors have had time to mingle.
02 -
For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper or a dash of hot sauce at the end.
03 -
Brown rice works great too, but will need about 10 minutes more cooking time and a bit more liquid.