Description
This flavorful and hearty Salsa Verde Chicken & Rice Skillet combines shredded rotisserie chicken with bright salsa verde, aromatic spices, black beans, and tender rice all cooked together in one skillet. Topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and fresh cilantro, this dish is a perfect easy weeknight meal packed with Mexican-inspired flavors and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- Optional: fresh cilantro for garnish
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup white long grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 15.5 oz salsa verde
Spices
- Chili powder (quantity not specified, estimated 1 teaspoon)
- Sea salt (to taste, estimated 1 teaspoon)
- Cumin (estimated 1 teaspoon)
- Garlic powder (estimated ½ teaspoon)
- Black pepper (estimated ½ teaspoon)
Other
- Olive oil (estimated 1 tablespoon for sautéing)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing aromatic ingredients.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet and cook until fragrant and onions become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add spices: Mix together chili powder, sea salt, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl, then add seasoning mixture to the skillet stirring to evenly coat the aromatics.
- Combine main ingredients: Stir in black beans, shredded chicken, salsa verde, chicken broth, and rice into the skillet ensuring everything is well combined.
- Cook the rice: Bring mixture to a boil and let it boil for 2-3 minutes, then reduce heat to low, cover skillet and simmer for 15 minutes allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and cook thoroughly.
- Check doneness: Remove lid and check if rice is tender; if not, cover and cook a few minutes longer until rice is fully cooked.
- Add cheese topping: Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the surface, then cover again for 2-3 minutes to let the cheese melt.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and any optional toppings like sour cream or avocado you prefer. Serve warm directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Using cooked rotisserie chicken significantly reduces cook time.
- Can substitute Monterey Jack cheese with cheddar or a blend of Mexican cheeses.
- For a spicier dish, add diced green chiles or jalapeños.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated up to 3 days and reheat easily.
- Rinsing rice before cooking can help avoid stickiness.
