Name: One Pan Southwest Chicken and Rice Fajita Skillet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Southwest
Ingredients: 1 ½ teaspoons cumin; 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander; 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder; 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (or sub adobo seasoning); 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon oregano; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional: only if you like a little heat); Freshly ground black pepper; 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil, divided; 1 yellow onion, sliced; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 orange bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh grated turmeric (if you don’t want yellow hands wear gloves); 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice, rinsed and drained; 1 ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water); ¾ cup corn off the cob, from 1 large ear or corn (or use frozen or canned corn); 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed; ¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend; ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro; 2 scallions, thinly sliced; 1 lime, cut into wedges; Plain Greek yogurt; Sliced avocado (or guacamole); Your favorite salsa; Jalapeno slices; Pickled red onion (this makes it so fabulous!)

A vibrant, flavor-packed meal that brings together tender chicken thighs, colorful bell peppers, and aromatic rice in one convenient skillet. This Southwest-inspired dish combines the best elements of fajitas with hearty rice for a complete meal that’s as impressive as it is easy to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Southwest Chicken and Rice Fajita Skillet is the ultimate one-pan wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. The fragrant blend of spices creates an authentic Southwest taste profile, while the combination of protein-rich chicken thighs and black beans keeps you satisfied. The colorful medley of bell peppers, onions, and corn not only adds visual appeal but also boosts the nutritional value of this meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe offers the convenience of cooking everything together while still maintaining distinct, delicious flavors in each component. Whether you’re serving family or guests, this skillet dish is sure to impress with its restaurant-quality presentation and taste.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour forms the base of many baked goods, providing structure and helping ingredients bind together. In this recipe, we don’t use flour as it’s a naturally gluten-free dish focusing on rice as the main carbohydrate.

Cumin adds that distinctive earthy, warm flavor that’s essential in Southwest cuisine. It’s one of the foundation spices that gives this dish its authentic character.

Coriander provides a bright, slightly citrusy note that balances the deeper flavors in the spice blend. Ground coriander comes from the seeds of the cilantro plant but has a completely different flavor profile.

Chili powder brings a mild heat and rich color to the dish. This spice blend typically includes ground dried chilies, cumin, oregano, and other spices, making it a convenient way to add multiple flavor dimensions.

Kosher salt enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Its coarser texture compared to table salt makes it easier to control when seasoning.

Paprika contributes a sweet pepper flavor and vibrant red color. It adds depth without heat, though smoked paprika could be substituted for a more complex flavor.

Oregano delivers an herbal, slightly minty note that’s common in Mexican and Southwest cooking. Fresh can be substituted for dried at a ratio of 3:1.

Garlic powder offers convenient garlic flavor distributed evenly throughout the spice mixture. It works alongside the fresh garlic added later for layers of flavor.

Cayenne pepper is optional but provides a clean, sharp heat if you enjoy spicy food. Start with less than you think you need – you can always add more.

Chicken thighs are the protein star of this dish. Thighs stay juicy and tender even with longer cooking times and absorb the spice flavors beautifully. Boneless skinless breasts can be substituted but may require less cooking time.

Olive oil or avocado oil helps brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables. Either oil stands up well to the heat required for this recipe.

Yellow onion provides a savory foundation for the dish. When cooked, it becomes sweet and aromatic, creating depth of flavor.

Bell peppers in varied colors add sweetness, crunch, and vibrant visual appeal. The combination of red, orange, and green creates a beautiful presentation and slight variations in flavor.

Fresh garlic cloves deliver sharp, aromatic flavor that’s essential to this dish. Mincing them releases more oils and distributes the flavor evenly.

Fresh turmeric is a brilliant addition that provides earthy, slightly bitter notes along with anti-inflammatory properties and a gorgeous golden color. Powdered turmeric can be substituted at a ratio of 1 teaspoon powdered to 1 tablespoon fresh.

Jasmine or basmati rice contributes fragrant, fluffy texture that absorbs all the wonderful flavors in the skillet. Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and prevents clumping.

Chicken broth infuses the rice with flavor as it cooks. Low-sodium varieties allow you to control the salt level in the finished dish.

Corn adds sweet pops of flavor and texture throughout the dish. Fresh corn offers the best flavor when in season, but frozen or canned work well year-round.

Black beans provide plant-based protein, fiber, and a creamy texture that complements the other ingredients. Rinsing them removes excess sodium and starch.

Mexican cheese blend melts beautifully over the top, adding richness and a hint of tanginess. A combination of monterey jack and cheddar works well if you want to mix your own.

Fresh cilantro brightens the entire dish with its distinctive flavor. If you’re among those who dislike cilantro, flat-leaf parsley makes a good substitute.

Scallions add a mild onion flavor and fresh green color as a finishing touch. They provide both flavor and visual appeal to the finished dish.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a small bowl, add the spices: cumin, coriander, chili powder, paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, cayenne (if using) and a few grinds of black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Add chicken to a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the spice mixture, (reserving the remaining spice mixture for later.) Toss well with tongs to coat the chicken in the spices.
Place an oven-safe large dutch oven or a 3.5 quart braiser over medium-high heat and add in the oil. Once oil is hot, add in the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and transfer to a plate.
Reduce heat to low and add in another tablespoon of oil, then immediately add in the onion and bell peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally for 5 to 8 minutes until peppers slightly soften. Next add the fresh turmeric, garlic and remaining spice mixture and cook until the garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds.
Immediately add in the rice and stir for another 30 seconds to coat it with the spices. Next stir in the broth, corn and black beans. Arrange the chicken on top, including any accumulated chicken juices on the plate, and gently nestle into the rice mixture. Bring to a gentle boil.
Cover, transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 25 minutes until the rice is tender.
Remove from the oven and top with shredded cheese. Place back in the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts. Garnish with cilantro and green onion. Top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Serve with toppings of choice: yogurt, avocado slices (or guac), salsa, jalapeno and pickled red onions.

Servings and Timing

This One Pan Southwest Chicken and Rice Fajita Skillet serves 6 people generously. The recipe requires 15 minutes of preparation time and 40 minutes of cooking time, bringing the total time to 55 minutes. The dish is perfect for family dinners, and since it makes 6 servings, it’s also great for meal prep throughout the week if you have a smaller household.

Variations

Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken entirely and double the black beans, or add a can of pinto beans for variety. You can also add diced zucchini or yellow squash for extra vegetables and substance.

Seafood Twist: Replace chicken with shrimp, which cooks even faster. Add the shrimp during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent overcooking.

Extra Spicy: Double the cayenne and add 1-2 diced jalapeños or a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the vegetable mixture for significant heat.

Quinoa Substitute: Replace the rice with rinsed quinoa for added protein and a different texture. Reduce the cooking time by about 5 minutes as quinoa cooks more quickly than rice.

Tex-Mex Style: Add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Ro-tel) and replace the Mexican cheese blend with a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack.

Brown Rice Version: Use brown rice instead of white for extra fiber and nutrients, but increase the cooking time to 35-40 minutes and add an additional 1/4 cup of broth.

Low-Carb Option: Replace the rice with cauliflower rice. Reduce cooking time to about 15-20 minutes since cauliflower rice cooks much faster than regular rice.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen and meld together overnight, making this dish even more delicious the next day.

Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion into individual servings before freezing for convenient single meals. Store in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

Thawing: For best results, thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating in Microwave: Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a tablespoon of water or broth if the dish seems dry.

Reheating on Stovetop: For larger portions, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to rehydrate the rice and stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

Reheating in Oven: Place in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat at 325°F for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.

Meal Prep Tip: When storing for meal prep, keep the garnishes and toppings (like avocado, yogurt, and lime wedges) separate and add them fresh when serving.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs. However, chicken breasts cook more quickly and can dry out more easily than thighs. Reduce the browning time to about 2-3 minutes per side and check for doneness earlier during the baking process. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided you use certified gluten-free chicken broth and check the labels on your spices to ensure they don’t contain any gluten additives. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare this dish up to the point of baking, then refrigerate it (covered) for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed, adding about 5-10 minutes to the cooking time since you’re starting with a cold dish.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish after completing the stovetop steps. Cover with foil and bake as directed.

How spicy is this dish?

Without the optional cayenne pepper, this dish is mildly spiced but not particularly spicy. The heat level comes primarily from the chili powder, which typically isn’t very hot. If you enjoy spice, definitely add the cayenne and consider including diced jalapeños in your toppings.

Can I use taco seasoning instead of the individual spices?

Yes, you can substitute about 3-4 tablespoons of taco seasoning for the spice mixture. However, be aware that many commercial taco seasonings contain salt and sometimes cornstarch, so you may want to reduce the added salt in the recipe.

What can I use instead of fresh turmeric?

If fresh turmeric isn’t available, substitute with 1-2 teaspoons of ground turmeric. While the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant, you’ll still get the wonderful color and many of the earthy notes that turmeric provides.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

Without the cheese and yogurt toppings, this recipe is dairy-free. You can either omit the cheese entirely or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Instead of yogurt for topping, try avocado or dairy-free sour cream.

Can I use instant rice for this recipe?

Instant or quick-cooking rice is not recommended for this recipe as it will become overcooked and mushy during the baking time required for the other ingredients. Stick with regular long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati for best results.

What can I serve with this skillet dish?

This one-pan meal is complete on its own, especially with the suggested toppings. If you’d like to add something on the side, a simple green salad with a lime vinaigrette would complement it nicely. Warm corn or flour tortillas would also be a great addition if you want to scoop up the delicious mixture.

Conclusion

This One Pan Southwest Chicken and Rice Fajita Skillet represents the perfect marriage of convenience and flavor. By combining the vibrant tastes of fajitas with the heartiness of a rice dish, you get a complete meal that satisfies on every level. The layering of spices creates depth of flavor, while the one-pan approach means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. The suggested variations offer ways to adapt it to different dietary needs or simply to keep things interesting when you make it regularly. The colorful presentation makes it as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate, making this dish worthy of both family dinners and casual entertaining.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just beginning to explore homemade meals, this skillet recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with straightforward preparation. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful rice, beans, and vegetables creates a balanced meal that will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.