Chicken Burrito Skillet – One Pan Dinner!

Chicken Burrito Skillet dinner is like having a burrito with no tortilla wrap so you get all the good fillings without the extra calories and carbs for a healthy dinner the whole family will love. It was a huge hit at my house. My entire family loved the chicken burrito skillet meal I made. And with minimal meal prep, it is easy to make in minutes for simple dinner cuisine, just like other one-pan dinners we have. Also, if you enjoy Mexican-inspired recipes, we have plenty you can choose from!

Of course, the burrito originated in Mexico. However, there are many stories and opinions on who was the first to make it. Most people believe that it was Juan Mendez, who was a street vendor in 1910 in Chihuahua, Mexico. But people have been wrapping food in tortillas for thousands of years. In fact, there is evidence of the use of corn tortillas for wrapping food back in 10,000 BC.

Ingredients needed:

• Olive oil: For cooking. 
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: You can use bone-in chicken breast with the skin on if you like it better that way. Just cut it into one-inch pieces. 
• Chicken broth: We used regular chicken broth, but you can use what you prefer.
• Shredded Mexican blend cheese: Any kind of shredded cheese would be good for this recipe. 
• Uncooked long-grain white rice: Brown rice will work in this recipe too. Any kind of long-grain rice will do.
• Black beans: Make sure you rinse and drain well.
• Petite diced tomatoes: Drain well so your skillet meal is not too watery.
• Taco seasoning: This gives your skillet dinner an authentic Mexican flavor. 
• Onion powder: For extra flavor.
• Garlic powder: For extra flavor.
• Chili powder: Gives your burrito skillet some extra heat.
• Cumin: Optional, but it adds a smoky nutty flavor with a bit of heat.
• Salt
• Pepper

Toppings:

• Chopped tomatoes: Fresh is best but you can use canned tomatoes.
• Sliced avocado: Perfect for topping.
• Sour cream: The extra cream cools off a spicy tongue.

How to make chicken burrito skillet from scratch?

1. Cook chicken: First, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook for about five minutes or until it is slightly browned. 
2. Remove the chicken: Now, remove the chicken from the pan and put it on a paper towel to dry. 
3. Cook the rice: Next, drain the juices from the pan and add the remaining oil to the same pan. Over medium-high heat, add rice and sautee until it is lightly browned, stirring occasionally, for one to two minutes. 
4. Bring to a boil: Stir in canned beans, broth, canned tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, taco seasoning, chili powder, and cumin. Bring mixture to a boil and place chicken on top without stirring. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it cook for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. 
5. Melt cheese: Last, remove it from the heat, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and let it sit, covered until it is melted. 
6. Serve hot: Finally, serve hot with your favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, and salsa. 

Frequently asked questions

Can I use something besides skinless chicken breast?

You can use bone-in chicken breasts with the skin on if you like it that way. If you like dark meat, feel free to use thighs or drumsticks. Instead of chicken, you could also try this recipe with turkey, pork, or even sliced or ground beef. We used skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes because it was easier. 

What is the healthiest rice?

Although white rice has more carbs than brown rice, if you use long grain, it will not change the nutrition, calories, or fat much. Experts say that black rice is the healthiest because it is made from whole grains. It has the least calories and carbs. However, cauliflower rice is by far the most nutritious because it is not rice at all. It is made from cauliflower. 

Is this a healthy dinner?

Because it is made with boneless skinless chicken breast, this chicken burrito skillet meal has less fat and calories with lots of protein. Using long-grain white rice is healthier than regular rice but using cauliflower rice would be even better. You can also leave out the cheese and use just salsa, lettuce, and tomatoes for toppings. Either way, it has a lot of vitamins and minerals with minimal saturated fat.

How to store leftovers:

• Store: Store the remaining chicken burrito skillet in an airtight container in the fridge for four to five days.
• Freeze: You can also freeze your leftovers. Just put them in a freezer bag and they can be frozen for up to 90 days.
• Thaw: To thaw, put leftovers in the fridge overnight.
• Reheat: You can reheat your chicken burrito skillet on the stove or in the microwave for one to two minutes. 

More one-pan dinners: