Cheesy Baja Chicken Skillet (Printable Version)
Juicy chicken and colorful bell peppers tossed in Mexican spices, finished with melted Monterey Jack and cheddar.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Spices
07 - 1 and 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Dairy
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
14 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Pantry
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
17 - Juice of 1 lime
→ Fresh
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and sauté until cooked through and lightly golden, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add extra oil if necessary. Add sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss vegetables to coat evenly with spices.
04 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour in chicken broth and lime juice, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Stir to combine thoroughly.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Distribute shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses evenly over the mixture. Cover skillet and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
06 - Remove cover and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- This skillet is the quick fix for when you crave flavor-packed comfort and minimal cleanup.
- There’s so much room to play with heat and toppings that even picky eaters find their favorite twist.
02 -
- Once I tried to rush melting the cheese on high heat and ended up with an oily puddle instead of that dreamy stretch—patience wins here.
- Adding a squeeze of lime at the very end brings all the flavors to life in a way I never expected from so few ingredients.
03 -
- Cut all your ingredients before you start—the skillet moves fast once it’s hot.
- Warming your tortillas makes every bite feel extra special and a bit more authentic.