Description
Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are a flavorful and easy-to-make grilled or baked meal featuring seasoned chicken breasts topped with black beans, corn, bell peppers, and salsa, all cooked in foil packets to lock in moisture. Topped with melted Mexican cheese and customizable garnishes like sour cream and guacamole, this dish offers a vibrant taste of the Southwest perfect for a quick family dinner or casual cookout.
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 or Oven: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat if grilling. If baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Foil Packets: Cut four large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil approximately 10 by 10 inches. Spray the center of each piece lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add Chicken: Place one chicken breast in the center of each piece of foil. Season each breast with chili powder, salt, and pepper according to taste.
- Assemble the Foil Packets: Evenly distribute the black beans, thawed corn, diced bell peppers, and salsa or drained Rotel tomatoes over the chicken breasts on each foil piece.
- Seal the Packets: Fold the foil over the ingredients and tightly seal the edges to create secure packets that will hold in steam and flavors during cooking.
- Cook the Packets: For grilling, place the foil packets on the grill with the vegetable side down and cook for 10 minutes. Flip the packets and grill for an additional 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For baking, place packets on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked.
- Add Cheese: Carefully open each hot packet. Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack cheese over the chicken.
- Melt Cheese: Return the packets to the grill opened for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts. Alternatively, you can place the packets under the oven broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese if baking.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the packets to plates and top with optional garnishes like sour cream, guacamole, black olives, jalapeños, cilantro, and diced tomatoes as desired.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the foil packets over a bed of cilantro lime rice or accompanied by warm corn or flour tortillas for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- If you prefer extra spicy, add sliced jalapeños inside the packets before sealing.
- Use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing during grilling or baking.
- The foil packets can be customized with additional vegetables or beans if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in the foil and reheated covered in the oven or microwave.
- This recipe is suitable for meal prep and can be assembled in advance and cooked later.
