Description
Sizzling salsa chicken and cauliflower rice skillet brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables with minimal effort. Spicy, protein-packed chicken nestles perfectly over low-carb cauliflower rice, delivering a zesty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- ½ cup black beans (drained and rinsed, optional)
- ½ cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Cooking Base and Additions:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or spicy)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high flame, creating an ideal cooking surface for the protein-rich chicken.
- Introduce diced chicken into the skillet, seasoning generously with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder to develop robust flavor profiles.
- Sauté the chicken pieces, allowing them to develop a golden exterior while ensuring complete internal cooking, which typically requires approximately 5-7 minutes of attentive stirring.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth and preserving its succulent texture.
- Utilize the same skillet to transform cauliflower into a rice-like texture, gently sautéing for roughly 3 minutes to enhance its delicate flavors.
- Enrich the cauliflower base by incorporating vibrant salsa, protein-packed black beans, and sweet corn kernels, stirring thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Continue cooking the vegetable mixture for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring all components are heated thoroughly and flavors are well integrated.
- Reintroduce the reserved chicken into the skillet, gently folding to create a harmonious blend of proteins and vegetables.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, covering the skillet to allow the cheese to melt luxuriously and create a creamy coating.
- Finish the dish with a zesty splash of fresh lime juice and a generous garnish of chopped cilantro for brightness and aromatic complexity.
- Serve immediately, accompanied by creamy avocado slices, tangy sour cream, or crispy tortilla chips for added texture and enjoyment.
Notes
- Boost protein intake by using chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer flavor and juicier meat.
- Ensure even cooking by cutting chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
- Drain excess liquid from salsa to maintain the skillet’s desired consistency and prevent soggy cauliflower rice.
- Customize dietary needs by substituting dairy cheese with vegan alternatives or nutritional yeast for lactose-free options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg