Cheesy Baja Chicken & Bell Pepper Skillet Recipe
This Cheesy Baja Chicken & Bell Pepper Skillet is a vibrant, flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with bold Mexican spices, sautéed colorful bell peppers, sweet corn, and juicy diced tomatoes, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a quick and easy dish perfect for weeknight dinners that brings a cheesy, zesty Baja twist to your table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream (optional for serving)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and evenly season them with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to infuse the meat with bold flavors.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, warming it until it shimmers to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through.
- Add the Peppers: Incorporate the sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers into the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the peppers begin to soften, adding a sweet crunch to the dish.
- Incorporate Corn and Tomatoes: Stir in the corn and diced tomatoes, cooking together for an additional 3-5 minutes to blend the flavors fully.
- Mix in the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the skillet’s contents, and cover with a lid. Allow the cheese to melt thoroughly, creating a creamy, gooey topping.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and, if desired, garnish with fresh cilantro to add a burst of herbal freshness.
- Serve: Spoon the cheesy Baja chicken and vegetables onto plates and add a dollop of sour cream if you like for a creamy contrast to the spicy flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh corn if available for sweeter flavor; frozen corn works equally well when fresh is out of season.
- Adjust the chili powder and cumin quantities to your preferred spice level.
- For a lower fat option, reduce the amount of cheddar cheese or substitute with a lower-fat cheese.
- Sour cream is optional but adds a nice creamy tang to balance the spices.
- Serve with warm tortillas or rice for a complete meal.
Keywords: Cheesy Baja Chicken, Bell Pepper Skillet, Mexican chicken skillet, one-pan meal, spicy chicken recipe, sautéed bell peppers, quick dinner, cheddar cheese chicken
