Spice Up Your Dinner Routine with Green Chile Chicken and Rice

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This Green Chile Chicken and Rice Skillet recipe is a perfect option for a busy weeknight. Take your cooking skills to the next level by trying out this delicious and easy recipe tonight!  Minimal clean up, maximum flavor!

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I’m sure I’ve discussed this, but I love Latin and Tex-Mex food.  The flavors are so good and so diverse.  Plus, I’ve been eating more traditional Latin and Tex-Mex foods since I was a kid.  Dad travelled and brought back all the delicious recipes for us to try and recreate at home.  I mean, we had blackened and Cajun seasoning before Emeril made them famous.

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Of course, I was the wimp of the family.  I was not up for all that jalapeno and cayenne flavor that the rest of the family appreciated.  So, if Dad was making something like this tangy mango pineapple salsa, he would have to make two versions.  One for me with little to no heat and one for the rest of the family heated up a bit.  This chicken and rice skillet recipe is the perfect balance.  It has heat but not so much you want to drink a gallon of milk.

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Why Skillet Meals Are a Game Changer

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Skillet meals are all about convenience and flavor. Cooking everything in one pan has many benefits.  One, they have faster prep and less cleanup.  Two, they offer maximum taste because the ingredients meld together as they cook.  Finally, after the initial sautéing, the rest of the skillet meal is hands off.  This means you get to make the most of your time and spend less of it in the kitchen.  Especially with this taco dinner skillet. They also make a great centerpiece for any meal.

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Cooking with Green Chiles

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Green chiles add an earthy and tangy flavor to this dish. Most green chiles are mildly spicy.  Meaning, they offer just enough heat to enhance the recipe without overpowering it. If you prefer a milder version, simply use mild canned green chiles.  When Hatch chiles are in season, you can roast them to add to this skillet recipe.  Or you can make some delicious Hatch green chile corn muffins. Their earthy, slightly smoky notes pair perfectly with chicken and rice.

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If you want something kicked up a little more, try adding in some jalapenos.  You can also include some chipotle in adobo.  They are smoked jalapeno peppers that have been stewed in a tangy tomato sauce. The adobo sauce adds a deep, smoky flavor and a moderate heat.  This makes it a popular ingredient for adding complexity and warmth to many Latin and Tex-Mex dishes. Or fun spreads like this chipotle honey mustard.

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Health Benefits of Chicken

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Chicken is a healthy choice for dinner. It’s a lean protein that’s low in fat.  It’s also packed with essential nutrients like B vitamins and selenium. Cooking with chicken breast ensures the meal is both nutritious and satisfying.  It’s a great way to keep your energy up throughout the day. And these chicken fajita sliders make a quick and fun dinner for busy nights.

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Tips for Cooking Chicken Breast Perfectly

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For juicy, tender chicken breast, start by patting it dry and seasoning well. Make sure to cut your chicken against the grain for tender pieces.  Avoid overcooking the chicken by heating the pan on high.  Searing the bite-sized chicken breast pieces will lock in moisture.  Simmering in the skillet with rice lets the flavors blend beautifully and tenderizes the chicken even more.

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Protein Variations

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If you’re looking to customize this recipe, then you can easily swap out the chicken for something else.  Of course, turkey would work because it’s also poultry.  But bites of pork would also work well in this recipe.  Or you can try a ground pork or even ground beef.  I’m not sure steak would be good.  It might be tough from simmering. 

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You can also try some shrimp in this recipe.  However, I would sear them then remove them to let the rice cook.  Add them to the pan to heat up right before serving.  If you leave the shrimp in the whole time, they might be too tough when it’s time to eat. 

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Yes, you can make this vegetarian.  Add in some black or pinto beans.  Beef it up with some king trumpet mushrooms or portobello mushrooms.  Finally, there’s tofu or tempeh you can add to this recipe.  Make sure to adjust the cooking times as needed for your protein choice. 

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Tips to make the perfect rice for this skillet meat

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Choose long grain rice for the best texture.  It stays fluffy and absorbs liquid and flavors well. Make sure to rinse the rice before adding it to the water.  This removes excess starch which can make the rice stickier and not cook as light and plump.

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Make sure the liquid covers the rice.  Also, keep the skillet covered while it cooks to trap steam. You can stir the rice a couple of times but try to keep the lid on for long as possible.  Finally, let the rice sit for 5 to 10 minutes to let the rice steam a little longer which makes it fluffier.

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Ingredients for this Green Chile Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe

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There’s nothing exotic in this recipe.  You should have everything on hand but you might need to get the chiles if you’re like me and use them all the time.

 

Pantry ingredients – oil, canned green chiles, chili powder, cumin powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, pinto beans, enchilada sauce, rice

Refrigerator ingredients – chicken breast, green onion, poblano peppers, sour cream, cheddar cheese

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Instructions to make this chicken skillet recipe

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Heat a large skillet over high heat and swirl in some oil before adding the chicken the sear on all sides.  Stir in the onion and sauté until it begins to soften.  Add in the poblanos, green chiles, spices, and beans.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes before stirring in the enchilada sauce.  Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.  Stir in the sour cream, cheese, and cooked rice. 

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Serving and presentation tips

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We eat with our eyes first, so presentation is key to taking this delicious skillet recipe over the top.  First, spoon the Green Chile Chicken and Rice onto a plate for individual servings or a platter for a family style serving.  Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions if you don’t like cilantro like me.  Add some lime wedges or avocado slices around the edges for another layer of flavor. Sprinkle some cheese on top.  Serve it with some warm tortillas on the side.  Or try a crisp green salad for a complete meal. Your family will love the vibrant colors and bold flavors!

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“How did it taste,” you ask? DELICIOUS! I thought it was, anyway. It was tangy, spicy, and creamy all at once. YUM! It was like a deconstructed green chile chicken and rice enchilada without the enchilada part. Why not call it that? Because I feel that term is a bandwagon term.  And because it’s popular some people will put that in their title just to be foodie hip. I like to do my own thing and call it a skillet and not deconstructed enchiladas.

 

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