Skillet Spanish Chicken & Rice

Canned tomatoes and instant brown rice make this cozy chicken skillet from Clean Eating a breeze, with just 20 minutes of prep. To top it off, this warming Spanish dinner is packed with bell peppers and olives for an aromatic meal you won’t forget! (Queso fresco is a salty, creamy Mexican cheese that is often used for garnish in Mexican dishes. If you can’t find it, swap in feta.)

Skillet Spanish Chicken & Rice

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 (4-ounce, 113g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 1/3 cups (255g) instant brown rice (certified gluten-free if necessary)
• 1 quart (1L) canned tomatoes with liquid
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/4 cup (40g) pitted and sliced green olives
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce, 28g) crumbled queso fresco

Directions

In a large skillet, heat oil on medium-high. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Transfer to skillet, and sauté until lightly browned, 4–5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Add garlic and onion to skillet, and sauté for 1 minute. Add bell pepper, and sauté for 2 more minutes. Add rice, and stir until lightly toasted and combined with vegetables.

Add tomatoes with liquid, chili powder and cumin to skillet and stir to combine. Using the edge of a wooden spoon, break apart any larger tomato pieces. (If rice is not covered by tomato liquid, add an additional 1/4 cup or 60ml water.) Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer.

Place chicken on top of tomato-rice mixture. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat, and let sit on stovetop, covered, for 5 minutes.

Add olives and cilantro to chicken-rice mixture, and toss and fluff with a fork. (If desired, remove chicken to ease stirring, then return to skillet.) To serve, sprinkle queso fresco over top of chicken-rice mixture and divide evenly among serving plates.

Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1 cup rice mixture + 1 Spanish chicken breast

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 333; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 68mg; Sodium: 363mg; Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 39g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 332mg; Iron: 8%; Vitamin A: 18%; Vitamin C: 52%; Calcium: 8%