Description
Creamy salsa chicken and cauliflower rice skillet delivers Mexican-inspired comfort without heavy calories. Protein-packed and zesty, this one-pan meal provides a quick, satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- ½ cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup black beans (drained and rinsed, optional)
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 2 cups riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or spicy)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp lime juice
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until golden and thoroughly done, stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes.
- Prepare Base: Remove chicken and use the same skillet to transform cauliflower into rice-like texture. Sauté for 3 minutes, then mix in salsa, black beans, and corn. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring even heating and flavor integration.
- Combine and Finish: Return chicken to the skillet, gently folding to blend proteins and vegetables. Sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, covering the skillet to allow luxurious melting.
- Garnish and Serve: Enhance the dish with a splash of lime juice and chopped cilantro. Plate immediately, optionally accompanied by avocado slices, sour cream, or tortilla chips for added texture and enjoyment.
Notes
- Chicken Doneness Check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing undercooking and potential foodborne illness.
- Cauliflower Rice Moisture Control: Pat cauliflower dry before sautéing to avoid excess water and achieve a light, fluffy rice-like texture.
- Flavor Boost Technique: Toast spices briefly before adding chicken to intensify their aromatic profiles and deepen overall dish complexity.
- Dietary Adaptation Strategy: Swap dairy cheese with nutritional yeast for vegan version or use low-fat cheese for reduced-calorie alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg