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This Tex Mex Chicken Recipe is super easy to make and packed with lots of southwestern flavor.  Enjoy this meal alone or with rice for a meal the entire family will love in only 20 minutes.

A plate of white rice topped with a cheesy, tomato-based Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe, garnished with chopped tomatoes and a lime slice. In the background: extra rice, more chicken in a skillet, black salt and pepper shakers, and herbs.
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This easy skillet meal comes together quickly in just 20 minutes. Dinner will be a breeze when you make Tex Mex Skillet Chicken Recipe.

If you are looking to jazz up plain chicken, this recipe is a must try. The tomatoes combine with all of the seasonings and the cheese is melty and delicious. It is the perfect recipe for when you need dinner fast but not a lot of time to cook it. We have thrown this together on busy weeknights between work and activities and it was super easy.

Your family is going to love this tasty meal. They may even like this Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe, Blackened Chicken, Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast, Marry Me Chicken, Easy Bruschetta Chicken, Alice Springs Chicken or Chicken Piccata.

Ingredients

Flat lay of ingredients for a Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe on a white wooden surface: raw chicken breasts on a plate, shredded cheddar cheese, canned diced tomatoes, spices, olive oil, and a measuring cup with liquid.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – You can substitute with chicken thighs
  • Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice such as avocado oil or vegetable oil
  • Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis – We like using a can of Rotel
  • Water – Feel free to substitute with low-sodium chicken broth for more flavor
  • Seasoning – Make this dish with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. You can also use Taco Seasoning
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Tex Mex Chicken

Raw chicken breasts are arranged on a white cutting board, ready for this Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe. Nearby are small bowls of oil, ground spices, and black pepper, plus a glass measuring cup of water and a checkered towel.

Step 1 – Filet the chicken breasts by cutting them in half lengthwise making 6 pieces of chicken.

A frying pan with a swirl of oil sits on a white wooden surface, ready for this Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe. Nearby are raw chicken breasts, four small bowls of spices, a can of broth, and a black-and-white checkered towel.

Step 2 – Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

A frying pan with raw chicken breasts, surrounded by bowls of shredded cheese, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and a can of diced tomatoes sets the stage for an easy Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe on a white wooden surface.

Step 3 – Add the chicken pieces to the pan in a single layer. Cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes without moving the chicken until browned.

A frying pan with seasoned chicken breasts on a white wooden surface, next to a bowl of shredded cheese, an open can of diced tomatoes, a glass of water, and a black-and-white checkered towel—perfect for your Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe.

Step 4 – Flip the chicken, season the chicken with the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for another 4-5 minutes on medium heat until browned.

A skillet with seasoned chicken breasts cooking in a zesty sauce with diced tomatoes for a Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe. A bowl of shredded cheddar cheese and a black-and-white checkered towel sit nearby on the light wood surface.

Step 5 – Pour in tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

A skillet filled with a flavorful Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe, featuring a tomato-based dish topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sits atop a black-and-white checkered towel on a light herringbone-patterned wooden surface.

Step 6 – Top with the shredded cheese (if using), cover and allow the cheese to melt. Serve warm and enjoy! Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, jalapeno and dice avocado for even more flavor.

A skillet filled with baked chicken breasts topped with melted cheddar cheese and diced tomatoes, this Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe is served alongside plates, forks, a bowl of white rice, cilantro, and a black-and-white checkered towel.
Review Pin Print
A black plate with white rice topped with cheesy Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe and diced tomatoes, garnished with lime slices. A bowl of rice, cilantro, and lime wedges are nearby on a light surface with a black-and-white towel and forks.

Tex Mex Chicken Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe is so easy to make and has tons of southwestern flavor.  Enjoy with rice for a quick meal in 20 minutes your family will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Mexican
Course Main Course
Calories 131
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Filet the chicken breasts by cutting them in half lengthwise making 6 pieces of chicken.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer. Cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes without moving the chicken until browned.
  • Flip the chicken, season the chicken with the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
  • Cook for another 4-5 minutes on medium heat until browned.
  • Pour in tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil.
  • Cover and reduce heat. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  • Top with the shredded cheese (if using), cover and allow the cheese to melt. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Recipe Tips
  • Use Thin Chicken Breasts – Make sure chicken is about the same size so it cooks evenly.
  • Add extra spice – Sprinkle chili powder or jalapeños for more heat.
  • Make it Creamy – Stir in ¼ cup cream cheese when you pour in the tomatoes.
  • Grill Chicken – Grill chicken first, then top with the Tex-Mex mixture for a smoky twist.
Variations Ideas
We love using what we have and trying new things.
Try adding some of these ingredients for a change:
  • Frozen Corn or other types of veggies
  • Black Beans
  • Diced Onion sauteed in olive oil
  • Green Bell Pepper and Red Bell Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Chicken Broth (this is great to create more broth if needed.)

Nutrition Facts

Calories 131kcal, Protein 24g, Fat 3g, Cholesterol 72mg, Sodium 139mg, Potassium 434mg, Vitamin A 165IU, Vitamin C 1.4mg, Calcium 9mg, Iron 0.7mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Skillet to Use?

We use a cast iron skillet and it’s perfect for this recipe. I have the Lodge cast iron skillet but you can see all the different brands here.

Can I Bake Tex Mex Chicken?

The skillet is amazing but sometimes for a change we bake this dish together. Whether you use rice or pasta, put it all together in a baking dish.
Top with a generous amount of cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until everything is cooked through.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. The chicken leftovers is great to be shredded and made into Chicken Tacos or Burritos.

Can I Freeze Leftovers?

Place the leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to reheat in the oven or the microwave.

A plate of white rice topped with cheesy baked chicken and diced tomatoes, inspired by a Tex Mex Chicken Skillet Recipe, garnished with lime slices. A fork rests nearby, with extra rice, chicken, fresh cilantro, black salt, and pepper shakers.

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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