Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet

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Sometimes, dinner needs to be easy and exciting—because life isn’t exactly waiting for us to finish chopping onions, right? This Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet is the hero you didn’t know you needed. It’s the kind of comforting, zesty, cheesy, one-pan meal that feels like a hug at the end of a long day… without a mountain of dishes to clean afterward.

Whether you’re wrangling kids, racing between meetings, or just trying to keep your sanity intact, this skillet is here to save your evening. It’s packed with pantry staples, a whole lot of flavor, and that creamy-melty cheese finish we all secretly crave. Let’s get into why this one-pan beauty is about to become a weekly favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet

This dish checks all the boxes:

✅ One pan (because who has time for more?)
✅ Family-friendly flavors—aka, kid-approved
✅ Fast, with minimal prep
✅ Budget-conscious (hello, rotisserie chicken hack!)
✅ Loaded with veggies and protein

Honestly, if comfort food had a Southwest-inspired alter ego, this would be it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what makes this skillet so magical:

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 small Yellow Onion, diced
3 Garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Chili Powder
½ tsp Cumin
½ tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Sea Salt
Dash of Black Pepper
1 cup Long Grain White Rice, uncooked
1½ cups Chicken Broth
1 cup Salsa Verde
2 cups Shredded Rotisserie Chicken
1 (4 oz) can Diced Green Chiles
1 cup Roasted Corn (frozen or canned)
1 cup Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1½ cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Optional Toppings: Chopped Cilantro, Sliced Avocado, Red Pepper Flakes

How to Make This Flavor-Packed Skillet

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and the onions look a little golden—about 3 minutes. (Your kitchen already smells amazing, doesn’t it?)

Step 2: Spice things up

In a small bowl, mix your chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, sea salt, and a dash of pepper. Sprinkle this aromatic blend over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir and let those flavors bloom for about a minute.

Step 3: Add the good stuff

Now the magic happens. Dump in the black beans, roasted corn, shredded chicken, green chiles, chicken broth, salsa verde, and rice. Stir until everything is well mixed. It’ll look like a big party in a pan—and it is.

Step 4: Simmer to perfection

Bring everything to a boil for 2–3 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to low, pop on a lid, and set your timer for 15 minutes. Walk away, check your email, or sip some tea. Let that rice soak in all the goodness.

Step 5: Check and cheese

When the timer goes off, peek under the lid. If the rice isn’t fully cooked, give it a few more minutes. Once it’s tender and the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat, sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese all over the top, and cover it again. Let it melt into that dreamy, gooey layer of comfort.

Step 6: Dress it up

Top your skillet masterpiece with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little kick.

Dinner. Is. Done.

Aneta’s Tip: Keep It Cozy, Keep It Easy

Don’t stress if your salsa verde is a little spicy—balance it with extra cheese or a dollop of sour cream on top.
Forgot to grab green chiles? No biggie. Just add a little more salsa verde or some chopped bell pepper for color and texture.
This dish reheats beautifully and might even taste better the next day—just like your favorite takeout, only way cheaper.

A Little Backstory…

I stumbled upon this Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet during one of those “what-can-I-make-with-what’s-in-the-fridge” nights. I had half a jar of salsa verde, leftover rotisserie chicken, and exactly one cup of rice. A few pantry staples later—boom. This Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet was born. My kids? Devoured it. My husband? Asked for seconds (and thirds). Me? I bookmarked it mentally as a “stress-free dinner win.”

Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet topped with melted cheese, black beans, corn, and fresh cilantro in a cast iron pan — This hearty Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet is a one-pan wonder packed with cheesy comfort, zesty flavor, and Southwest-inspired ingredients.

FAQs About Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet

Can I use brown rice instead of white?

Sure! Just keep in mind it takes longer to cook—about 40 minutes. Add more broth if needed.

Is this freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! Let it cool, portion it out, and freeze. It makes for a quick weeknight reheat.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes! Skip the chicken and double up on the beans and corn. Use veggie broth instead of chicken broth.

Conclusion

This Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet is more than a meal—it’s your go-to solution for busy nights, picky eaters, and “I just can’t” cooking moods. With bold flavors, cheesy goodness, and one-pan simplicity, it brings joy back to the kitchen without taking over your evening.

So grab that skillet, toss in your ingredients, and let dinner practically cook itself. You deserve this.

Happy cooking,

Craving More Easy Chicken Meals? Check These Out!

If this Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Skillet hit all the right notes for your dinner routine, I’ve got a few more flavor-packed recipes that you’ll absolutely love—and they keep that same vibe of simplicity, bold taste, and minimal cleanup. Here are some delicious dishes to explore next:

For a grilled version of those irresistible salsa verde flavors, don’t miss the Grilled Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Chicken. It’s smoky, cheesy, and perfect for your next summer cookout.
Looking to mix things up while still keeping it in the one-bowl, easy-to-make family? Try the Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl—sweet, spicy, and totally satisfying.
If you loved the black beans and rice combo, the Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice recipe gives you another one-pan wonder with a bold southwestern twist.
Craving something cozy with a tropical flair? The Sweet Chili Rotisserie Chicken Bowls use rotisserie chicken just like this recipe, making them a weeknight no-brainer.

Each of these is packed with flavor and designed to make your dinner game a little easier and a lot tastier—just like we like it here at Chicken Magic Recipes!