Description
Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are a vibrant and flavorful meal perfect for grilling or baking. Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with chili powder and topped with a colorful mix of black beans, corn, bell peppers, and salsa, all cooked together in foil packets. Finished with melted Mexican cheese and optional fresh toppings like sour cream and guacamole, this dish offers a convenient, delicious, and well-balanced dinner that’s easy to customize and serve with rice or tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (7–8 oz each)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- ¾ cup salsa or 10 oz can of Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Black olives
- Jalapeños
- Cilantro
- Tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it’s hot enough for cooking the foil packets evenly.
- Prepare Foil Packets: Cut four large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil, approximately 10 inches by 10 inches each. Spray the center of each piece with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place Chicken: Place one chicken breast in the center of each foil piece, then season each chicken breast with chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste for bold flavor.
- Add Vegetables and Salsa: Evenly distribute black beans, thawed corn kernels, diced bell peppers, and salsa or drained Rotel tomatoes over each chicken breast inside the foil.
- Seal the Packets: Fold the foil over the ingredients carefully and seal the edges securely to create individual foil packets that will trap steam and flavors during cooking.
- Cook on Grill: Place the foil packets on the grill, vegetable side down, and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip the packets and continue grilling for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Alternate Oven Baking Method: If using an oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Add Cheese: Carefully open each packet and sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the hot chicken. Return the packets to the grill, leaving them open, for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese melts beautifully.
- Serve: Remove the packets from heat and garnish with optional toppings like sour cream, guacamole, black olives, jalapeños, cilantro, and chopped tomatoes. Serve over cilantro lime rice or alongside warm corn or flour tortillas for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of similar size for even cooking.
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent tearing on the grill.
- Feel free to customize vegetables based on preference, such as adding diced onions or zucchini.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer for food safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
