This Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Skillet is a one-pan meal loaded with seasoned ground chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, yummy beans, smoky chipotles, and a generous amount of melty cheese. Serve it with warm tortillas for a family-friendly dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds).
Why You’ll Love It
This Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Skillet recipe is what busy-weeknight dreams are made of!
It’s spicy, cheesy, hearty, and comes together in just one pan, which means minimal cleanup—a win in my book.
You'll love how the tender ground chicken is seasoned to perfection with smoky, bold chipotles and that classic taco seasoning kick. Combine that with some fire-roasted tomatoes that add a touch of sweetness and charred flavor.
And let’s not forget the creamy sour cream that turns the whole skillet into a dreamy Tex-Mex wonderland.
But the real magic here? Land O Lakes® Mexican Blend Farmstyle Shreds - who sponsored the original instagram post - which is where this recipe came form!
You’re going to sprinkle half of that gooey goodness right into the mix, creating a dreamy, melty texture that clings to every bite, and then add another layer on top.
Pop the whole skillet under the broiler, and watch as that cheese bubbles and browns to perfection, making every bite a cheesy, golden delight.
Plus, this recipe is versatile! You can pile it into warm tortillas for a make-your-own taco vibe, serve it over rice for a Tex-Mex bowl, or even add it to nachos if you’re feeling extra fancy.
This mexican ground chicken skillet has all the bold, smoky flavors you crave, with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Trust me, it’s the perfect meal for when you want comfort food without the fuss!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Olive Oil: Olive oil provides a rich base for cooking the chicken and adding a hint of flavor. If you’re out of olive oil, vegetable oil works well too.
- Ground Chicken: ground chicken is a lean yet flavorful choice for this skillet; ground turkey or even ground beef can be used as an easy substitute if needed.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds natural sweetness and color to the dish. If you don’t have a red bell pepper, any bell pepper color will work.
- Sweet Onion: Brings a mild, sweet flavor to balance the spices. Swap with a yellow, red or white onion if you prefer.
- Taco Seasoning: Delivers classic Tex-Mex flavor in one easy packet. You can use homemade taco seasoning for a customizable option.
- Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Adds a touch of smokiness to the dish. Regular diced tomatoes will work if fire-roasted aren’t available.
- Black Beans: Adds fiber, heartiness, and texture to the skillet. Feel free to substitute with pinto beans or kidney beans if preferred.
- Chipotles in Adobo: Provides a smoky kick and customizable heat level. Adjust the amount of chipotles to your spice preference.
- Sour Cream: Makes the sauce creamy and smooth. Cream cheese or Greek yogurt can be used as a lighter alternative.
- Mexican Blend Cheese: Land O Lakes® Farmstyle shreds melt beautifully over the dish, adding cheesy goodness in every bite.
- Tortillas: Perfect for scooping up the cheesy chicken mixture, making this a complete, comforting meal. Feel free to swap them for tostada shells, hard tacos or even nachos or lettuce.
How to Make It
- COOK CHICKEN: Add olive oil to a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken with a pinch of salt, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
- ADD VEGGIES: Once the chicken is nearly cooked, add the red bell pepper and sweet onion. Sauté for 2 minutes, or until the veggies begin to soften.
- SEASON: Stir in the taco seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes, and black beans. Let the mixture cook for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- ADD CREAMINESS: Mix in the sour cream, chopped chipotles, and half of the Land O Lakes® Mexican Blend Farmstyle Shreds. Stir until everything is well combined, and season with salt as needed.
- CHEESE IT UP: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, then place the skillet under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
- SERVE: Remove from heat and serve with warm tortillas for scooping up the cheesy chipotle mixture.
What to serve with it
This Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Skillet combines all the best Tex-Mex flavors in one pan, making it an ideal choice for busy nights and big appetites. Here are some of my favorite Mexican inspired recipes to serve with this cheesy chipotle ground chicken taco skillet. Enjoy!
- Easy Hot Salsa Recipe (The Best Fresh Homemade Spicy Salsa)
- Simple and Easy One Pot Black Beans and Rice Recipe
- Elote in a Cup Recipe (Esquites - Mexican Street Corn Salad)
- Easy Brown Beans Recipe (The Best Pinto Beans)
- Happiest Hour - La Cava's Avocado Margarita Recipe Straight From Disney's Tequila Ambassador Herself!
- Baja Chipotle Sauce
Recipe
Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 lb Ground Chicken
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper finely diced
- 1 medium Sweet Onion finely diced
- 1 1.3oz package Taco Seasoning
- 1 14.5oz can Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1 15oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 Tbsp Chipotles in Adobo chopped
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- 1 8 oz bag Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese (such as Land O Lakes® Mexican Blend Farmstyle Shreds)
- 12 medium sized Tortillas for serving
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and a pinch of salt, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
- When chicken is almost fully cooked, add the red bell pepper and onion, cooking until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in taco seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes, and black beans. Let cook for a few minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Add the sour cream, chopped chipotles, and half of Mexican Blend Cheese. Stir until well combined. Season with salt as needed.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the skillet, then place it under the broiler until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve hot with tortillas, scooping the cheesy chicken mixture into each tortilla.