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    Home » Recipes » Chicken and Turkey

    By Carol Published: Nov 10, 2018 Modified: Jul 14, 2021 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet

    Jump to Recipe
    4.72 from 28 votes
    45 minutes
    Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet is an easy and festive stovetop dinner that's perfect for a weeknight!  Your family will ask for it again and again! #Ad #Sponsored #Anolon #AnolonInspires #KitchenCreativity #southwestern #chicken #orzo #skilletdinners #blackbeans @Anolon

    Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet is an easy and festive stovetop dinner that's perfect for a weeknight!  Your family will ask for it again and again!

    "Made this last night and my family LOVED it! I just ate some of the leftovers for lunch and this recipe is definitely a keeper!"

    Photo of Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet with wooden spoon and red and white towel on blue background.

    Hey, all!  I've got a dish that's super easy for a weeknight with a serious delish factor you and your whole family will love!  Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet!

    As I was making this, my hubby kept looking over at it like... "When is that going to be ready?"

    How's this?  It's ready in about 45 minutes from start to finish and best of all, it's made on the stovetop in just one skillet!  Your family is going to love this dish!

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • What is orzo?
    • How to make Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet:
    • For more great easy, family-friendly chicken recipes, try my:
    • Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Instructions 
      • Nutrition

    What is orzo?

    Orzo, also called risoni is pasta that is shaped like a grain of rice.  It can be made with regular white flour or whole wheat flour.  Because it is made with wheat, it generally is not gluten-free like rice is.  However, DeLallo makes gluten-free orzo.

    I love that it cooks so quickly and is so versatile!

    Photo of orzo pasta spilling out of a glass jar.

    How to make Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet:

    • Slice two chicken breast halves into thin strips.
    • Season generously with salt, black pepper and your favorite taco seasoning or another Southwestern-style seasoning.
    • Brown, then transfer to a plate.
    Photo of chicken in skillet being cooked and stirred with wooden spoon.
    • Cook some onion, red bell pepper...
    • Add the chicken back to the skillet.
    • Then add canned diced tomatoes with green chiles, chicken broth, the orzo, more of the taco seasoning...
    • And cook away!
    • Add frozen corn that you've thawed and drained and rinsed black beans...
    Close-up photo of Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet being stirred with wooden spoon.
    • Cheese!
    Photo of Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet with cheese being added.
    • ...And you've got one of the most satisfying, comforting meals ever that you can make in one skillet the whole family will love!
    Close-up photo of Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet.
    Photo of Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet on blue background with red and white striped towel.

    Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet is cheesy, pleasy and easy!  Guaranteed to become a new family favorite you'll want to make again and again!

    Close-up photo of Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet with wooden spoon.

    For more great easy, family-friendly chicken recipes, try my:

    • Grilled Tajin-Seasoned Chicken Fajitas
    • Southwestern Chicken, Rice and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
    • Cheesy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
    • Korean Braised Chicken Thighs
    • Creamy One Pot Chicken and Orzo “Risotto” with Bacon
    • Mexican Chicken, Poblano and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole
    • Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce
    Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet - Close-up hero shot with wooden spoon and red and white towel on blue background

    Southwestern Chicken Orzo and Black Bean Skillet

    4.72 from 28 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Southwestern Chicken, Orzo and Black Bean Skillet is an easy and festive stovetop dinner that's perfect for a weeknight!  Your family will ask for it again and again!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Chicken and Turkey
    Cuisine Southwestern / Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 479 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Nonstick Skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves - approximately 1 pound, cut into ½-inch strips
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning - or another Southwestern-style seasoning, divided
    • 2 tablespoons canola oil
    • 1 small onion - finely chopped
    • 1 medium red bell pepper - chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic - minced
    • 1 can (10.75-ounce) diced tomatoes with green chiles - undrained
    • 1 can (14.5-ounce) chicken broth - or more as needed
    • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
    • 1 cup corn kernels - thawed if frozen
    • 1 can (15-ounce) black beans - drained and rinsed
    • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Season chicken strips with salt, black pepper and 2 teaspoons taco seasoning.
    • Heat oil in a nonstick skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken strips in the pan and brown well on both sides. Transfer to a plate but reserve dripping in the pan. Return pan to medium-high heat.
    • Add the onion and a pinch of salt, then reduce heat to medium. Cook the onions until softened, 7-8 minutes.
    • Add the red bell pepper and continue cooking another 4-5 minutes or until softened.
    • Add garlic and cook briefly or until fragrant, 30 seconds.
    • Return chicken to the skillet.
    • Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth and remaining taco seasoning. Bring to a boil.
    • Add orzo and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook 15-17 minutes or until orzo is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed but not dry. (Add additional chicken broth if needed.)
    • Stir in corn and black beans and heat through.
    • Stir in half the cheese then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 683mg | Potassium: 503mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1413IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 666mg | Iron: 1mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

    More Chicken and Turkey Recipes

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    • Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Sauce
    • Chicken Milanese with Cherry Tomato and Arugula Salad
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    Categories: Chicken and Turkey

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fran says

      August 19, 2022 at 7:00 am

      Made this last night everyone loved it ! I didn’t have a can of diced tomatoes but I did have a jar of salsa in fridge ! It was a good substitute!!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        August 19, 2022 at 8:44 am

        Hi, Fran, Thanks so very much and so happy every enjoyed!! Salsa is definitely a great substitute. Thanks again!!

        Reply
    2. Donna says

      March 29, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Will definitely make again! Can you tell me what a serving size is? 1 cup, 1/2 cup?

      Reply
      • Carol says

        March 30, 2022 at 8:01 am

        Hi, Donna, Thanks so very much and glad you enjoyed! One serving would be approximately 1/4 of the skillet unless you're a light eater. Because the recipe calls for two boneless skinless chicken breast halves cut into pieces, one serving would have 1/2 of the chicken breast, 1/4 cup of the dry orzo, 1/4 cup of the corn, 1/4 of the can of beans, etc. All reasonable amounts for a serving. Because this is an "all-inclusive" kind of meal, all you'd really need on the side is a green vegetable or salad. Thanks again and hope this answers your question.

        Reply
    3. Kimberly says

      March 10, 2021 at 3:38 am

      What a great starting point for dinner! I made this tonight but added my own tweaks. Used red onion and added with the corn and beans, did not use chili spice but did use a couple of my Mexican spice blends (one included lime) plus some cumin. Oh and there is a company in Seattle’s Pike Street Market that makes some wonderful flavored orzo, so I used what I had left instead of plain orzo. It was very good and I will be making this again.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        March 10, 2021 at 7:51 am

        Hi, Kimberly and thanks so much! Love that you made the recipe your own and built on it. I've only been to that market once and would really love to go back. Thanks for the suggestion!

        Reply
        • Kimberly says

          March 10, 2021 at 11:10 am

          Hi Carol, just a quick FYI- the company is called Pappardelle’s Pasta and they do mail order. I just ordered 3 different orzo pastas from them but they have more. I love building tasty and unique dishes with them and I’m sure you would too. Just be careful as some are really spicy!

        • Carol says

          March 10, 2021 at 11:12 am

          Thanks so much, Kimberly! Orzo pasta is one of my favorites to use so I'll definitely give them a look!

    4. Amanda says

      November 01, 2019 at 9:43 am

      Obsessed with one pot meals! Anything with orzo is my favorite and I love the photography!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        November 02, 2019 at 8:08 am

        Thanks, Amanda! Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Stephanie Summers says

      October 24, 2019 at 1:01 pm

      Made this last night and my family LOVED it! I just ate some of the leftovers for lunch and this recipe is definitely a keeper. I have tried several of your recipes and they are easy to follow - plus they are delicious. Thank you for posting.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        October 24, 2019 at 7:43 pm

        Hi, Stephanie, Thanks so very much and you made my day! So glad you and yours enjoyed and I greatly appreciate the kind words! Thanks again!

        Reply
    6. Anonymous says

      November 11, 2018 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars

      Reply

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