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This Cowboy Chicken recipe makes a delicious hearty meal, all in one pan. Each bite is filled with juicy chicken, melty cheese, and southwestern flavors from spices, that will keep everyone coming back for more!
“This chicken is amazing! The perfect one pan meal!”
-Becky
If you haven’t tried Cowboy chicken before, you are in for a treat! The recipe starts with seasoned, seared chicken breasts or thighs, and then is surrounded by the incredible flavors of onion, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies.
It’s really a meal in a single pan, and you can easily customize what vegetables or seasonings you add, so it can be a little different each time you make it. It’s a perfect southwest flavored dinner for celebrating with friend and family.
For more easy chicken dinners, be sure to try this one skillet Chicken Marsala Recipe, or this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore. Don’t forget to add a refreshing drink like the Mojito or a Peach Mimosa for an easy beverage option.
Ingredients You Will Need
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts- or thighs, and for an even quicker prep, you can also use shredded rotisserie chicken
- yellow onion, chopped- or red onion, which can add a stronger onion flavor.
- cloves garlic, minced about 1 teaspoon
- can black beans, drained and rinsed
- can corn, drained-I like to use regular or Mexican style corn
- can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- shredded cheese-Monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, Mexican blend cheese, or pepper jack cheese, are all great choices.
OPTIONAL: Top these juice pieces of chicken with fresh cilantro, salsa, lime wedges, green onions, or avocado slices.
Note: A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Cowboy Chicken Variations
- Spicy Cowboy Chicken: Add a pinch of chili powder or even cayenne pepper to add a little heat to the chicken.
- BBQ Cowboy Chicken: Before searing the chicken, coat each piece in your favorite BBQ sauce or hot sauce. You can also serve with ranch dressing for a completely different flavor!
- Cowboy Chicken Tacos or Nachos: Make it taco night! Just shred the chicken and use it to fill burritos or taco shells, then spoon the filling on top. Or serve over tortilla chips and top with a scoop of sour cream, guacamole, and additional cheese.
- Slow Cooker Cowboy Chicken: Make this recipe in your slow cooker. Season the chicken and then add it to the cooker. Top with the onion, beans, and rice. Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Top with shredded cheese and let the chicken sit for a couple of minutes until it melts.
How to Make Cowboy Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush the olive oil on the chicken breasts, on both sides, then sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Then add the seasoned chicken breasts, and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side.
- In the same skillet, add the beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and onion. Stir together, then lift the chicken pieces so they are on surrounded by the ingredients and not underneath them. Top with the shredded cheese.
- Place skillet in the oven, and bake at 375 degrees F for 18-23 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Serve while warm!
If you’re hosting a casual gathering, you can serve this chicken with Firecracker Hot Dogs for a fun, family style meal, or keep things simple with a platter of Fruit Skewers and Fruit Dip for a colorful and fresh side.
Expert Tips
- Brown the Chicken First: Searing the chicken helps lock in the flavors and juices, while giving the chicken a golden brown color.
- Serve with Sides: Because this meal already has meat and veggies, add a side like white rice, Spanish rice, cornbread, beans, or even just a side garden salad.
- Keep it Easy: If pressed for time, substitute shredded rotisserie chicken for the breasts. Add the other ingredients and combine, then bake in the oven.
Cowboy Chicken FAQ’S
If you have leftovers, first let the chicken cool, then transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat leftovers, you can microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, until it’s warmed through.
Yes! This chicken is perfect for special events or a party! Season and sear the chicken ahead of time, and then place it in an airtight container, and store in the fridge until you are ready to cook. Because a large pan takes up a lot of space, transfer the seasoned chicken to a baking dish before adding the vegetables and then bake as normal.
More Easy Meal Recipes
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Cowboy Chicken
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, or thighs (4 pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 can black beans, 15 ounces can, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, 15 ounces can, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes with chilies, 10 ounces
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Pepper Jack
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush the olive oil on the chicken breasts, on both sides, then sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts, and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side.
- In the same skillet, add the beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and onion. Stir together, Lift the chicken pieces so they are on surrounded by the ingredients and not underneath them. Then top with the shredded cheese.
- Place skillet in the oven, and bake at 375 degrees F for 18-23 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
could you use ground beef instead of chicken and if so, how much?
Hi Kimberly. Great question! Yes, you can use ground beef! Use a pound, and brown it, then drain the grease before adding the other ingredients.
Awesome
Thank you! I hope you liked it!
Delicious, what more can I say?