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Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken with Rice

Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken and Rice

I absolutely love rummaging through old family recipes that truly have a meaning or memory associated with them. This past weekend I finally decided to make one of my husband’s favorite dishes that his mom would make him besides Baked Ziti. His mom passed away a few years ago from cancer and anything that I can do to bring back memories in the kitchen I will. She had saved several recipes on a computer and this is one of them that I’ve wanted to make for a while.

Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken and Rice

The recipe is called Santa Fe Chicken with Rice and I just so happened to make it in a cast iron skillet. Lately we’ve been trying to bake and cook more in the skillet to add some more seasoning to it, so get prepared for more skillet dishes.

 

Another reason I love this classic dish is because it’s a one pot chicken dish. Less mess to clean up while letting all the flavors marinate with one another. When completed the rice reminds me a lot of Mexican rice with the salsa combination and it just might be a new favorite side dish of mine.

Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken and Rice

The kids are a huge fan of chicken dishes and Livi especially loves it when rice is added to any meal.

 

What is your most memorable family dish?

 

ENJOY ~ Meagan

Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken and Rice

Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken and Rice

Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken with Rice

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts halves
  • salt for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup mild salsa
  • 1 cup white rice
  • 1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped

Instructions

Sprinkle the chicken generously on each side with salt and then set aside.

Add olive oil to a cast iron skillet over med/low heat.  Add onions and cook for 4 minutes and then stir in garlic.  Cook for an additional minute.  Pour in the chicken broth and salsa and bring skillet to a boil.  Stir in the rice and arrange chicken over the rice.  Cover tightly and simmer for 24-28 minutes or until chicken is throughly cooked.  Remove from heat.

Let it stand covered for another 5 minutes to ensure all liquid has been absorbed.

Sprinkle with cheese and then top it off with tomatoes and avocado.

*I flipped chicken halfway through the cooking process.

Did you make this recipe?

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Cast Iron Santa Fe Chicken and Rice