Description
Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are a flavorful and easy-to-make dinner featuring seasoned chicken breasts cooked with colorful bell peppers, black beans, and corn, all topped with melted Mexican cheese and fresh cilantro. Perfect for grilling or baking, this dish combines smoky Southwestern spices with a fresh lime twist for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Foil: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill to medium-high. Cut four large sheets of aluminum foil, about 12×16 inches each.
- Season the Chicken: Place one chicken breast in the center of each foil sheet. Sprinkle evenly with chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste, ensuring full coverage for robust flavor.
- Mix Vegetables and Beans: In a bowl, combine the sliced red and yellow bell peppers, black beans, corn, olive oil, and lime juice. Toss well to coat all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Assemble Foil Packets: Divide the vegetable and bean mixture evenly over each seasoned chicken breast on the foil. Add a spoonful of salsa on top of each packet for a zesty kick.
- Seal the Packets: Fold the foil over the chicken and vegetables to create a sealed packet, ensuring no steam escapes during cooking.
- Cook the Packets: Place the foil packets on a baking sheet if using an oven, or directly on the grill. Cook for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add Cheese and Melt: Carefully open each packet and sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese over the chicken. Close the packets loosely and let them sit for 2–3 minutes so the cheese melts perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Open the packets, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately with your choice of rice, tortillas, or a side salad.
Notes
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Customize the vegetables and spice levels according to your preference.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning and lime juice mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Ensure foil packets are sealed well to lock in moisture during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Baking
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 foil packet
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
