This Mexican chicken recipe is a delightful blend of spices and hearty ingredients that come together to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe brings the vibrant tastes of Mexico to your table with minimal effort.
If you don't usually keep chili powder, cumin, or paprika in your pantry, you'll need to pick these up at the supermarket. These spices are essential for achieving the authentic Mexican flavor in this dish. Additionally, make sure to grab a can of black beans and some corn, if you don't have them on hand.

Ingredients For Mexican Chicken Recipe
Chicken breasts: The main protein of the dish, providing a tender and juicy base.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken and adding a rich flavor.
Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the dish.
Chili powder: Brings a mild heat and depth of flavor.
Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy taste that is characteristic of Mexican cuisine.
Paprika: Provides a sweet and smoky flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and sharpness.
Tomato sauce: Creates a rich and tangy base for the sauce.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce.
Corn: Adds a sweet and crunchy texture.
Black beans: Provides a hearty and creamy element to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure the chicken breasts remain juicy and flavorful, consider pounding them to an even thickness before cooking. This helps them cook more evenly and prevents the thinner parts from drying out while the thicker parts finish cooking. Additionally, when browning the chicken, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary to achieve a nice golden crust.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a good alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic for a similar flavor.
chili powder - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Use sparingly, as cayenne is spicier. Adjust to taste.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Coriander has a slightly different but complementary flavor.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Adds a smoky flavor that enhances the dish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: Offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor.
tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Provides a similar texture and flavor.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Offers a similar depth of flavor and is suitable for vegetarians.
corn - Substitute with frozen peas: Adds a sweet flavor and similar texture.
black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Similar texture and flavor, making them a good alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the chicken breasts to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.
- Transfer the Mexican chicken to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the chicken and the sauce without overcrowding.
- Label the container with the date of preparation. This will help you keep track of how long the dish has been stored.
- Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together, making the dish even more delicious.
- For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The Mexican chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its quality.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight if it was frozen. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the meat.
- Reheat the Mexican chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir occasionally until heated through.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the dish in the microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- Serve the reheated Mexican chicken with your favorite sides, such as rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Mexican chicken in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the chicken moist.
- Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Stir the corn and black beans halfway through to ensure even heating.
Stovetop Method:
- Place the Mexican chicken in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out.
- Cover the skillet with a lid.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through.
Microwave Method:
- Place the Mexican chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
- Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir the corn and black beans, then continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until the chicken is heated through.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Transfer the Mexican chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add a small amount of chicken broth to keep it moist.
- Set the slow cooker to low and heat for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is thoroughly warmed.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Mexican chicken in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for Preparing This Recipe
Skillet: A large, flat-bottomed pan used for browning the chicken and cooking the sauce.
Tongs: Useful for turning the chicken breasts to ensure they brown evenly on both sides.
Measuring spoons: Essential for accurately measuring the olive oil, spices, and seasonings.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the garlic, spices, and sauce without scratching the skillet.
Measuring cup: Necessary for measuring the tomato sauce, chicken broth, corn, and black beans.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for preparing the garlic and any other ingredients.
Chef's knife: Used for mincing the garlic and any other chopping tasks.
Plate: Used to set aside the browned chicken breasts temporarily.
Lid: Helps to cover the skillet while simmering the chicken, ensuring even cooking.
Serving spoon: Useful for serving the finished dish with your favorite sides.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Mince the garlic and measure out the spices the night before to save time.
Use pre-cooked chicken: Substitute with rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time.
One-pan method: Cook the chicken and sauce in the same skillet to reduce cleanup.
Frozen corn: Use frozen corn instead of fresh to skip the shucking and cutting.
Canned beans: Opt for canned black beans to avoid soaking and cooking dried beans.

Mexican Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken Breasts
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce
- 0.5 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Corn canned or fresh
- 1 cup Black Beans canned, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- 2. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- 3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- 4. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- 5. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- 6. Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir well.
- 7. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some sauce over the top.
- 8. Add the corn and black beans. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- 9. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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