These Easy Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are a fun way to enjoy a tasty meal! Juicy chicken is mixed with colorful peppers, corn, and zesty seasoning, all wrapped up tight.
Cooking in foil means less mess and easy clean-up, plus it keeps everything nice and juicy. I love serving mine with a sprinkle of cheese on top—yum! 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken is a great choice for these packets as it cooks quickly. If you have thighs instead, they work wonderfully too and add a bit more flavor!
Beans: Black beans add protein and nutrition. If you’re not a fan, you can switch them out for pinto beans or chickpeas for a different taste.
Pepper Varieties: Red and green bell peppers brighten up this dish. Feel free to mix it up with yellow or orange peppers for sweetness. If you’re looking to cut calories, you can use less cheese or a cheese alternative.
Jalapeño: This adds a nice kick. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can omit it or switch to milder peppers like banana peppers instead.
Lime: Fresh lime is key to adding brightness! If you don’t have fresh limes, bottled lime juice will do in a pinch, but fresh always tastes better.
How Do You Seal Foil Packets Properly?
Sealing your foil packets correctly is important to create steam, which makes the chicken and veggies tender. Here’s how:
- Place your filling on a sheet of foil, leaving a border around the edges.
- Fold the two long sides over the filling and tightly crimp the edges together.
- Carefully fold the short ends up to seal them. You want everything to be snug but not too tight, as steam needs a little space to circulate.
With this technique, your packets will keep all those tasty juices in, making every bite delicious!
Easy Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup frozen corn (thawed)
- 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lime, sliced (for garnish and squeezing)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
How Much Time Will You Need?
This dish requires about 10 minutes of prep time and 20-25 minutes of cooking time. In total, you’ll be looking at around 35 minutes to put it all together and enjoy a delicious meal!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Grill or Oven:
Start by preheating your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C). This helps ensure even cooking of the chicken and vegetables.
2. Prepare Your Foil:
While the grill or oven is heating, lay out four large squares of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface. This is where your flavorful meal will be wrapped up and cooked!
3. Add Chicken:
Place one chicken breast in the center of each foil square, making sure there’s enough space to add the other ingredients around it.
4. Mix the Veggies:
In a mixing bowl, combine the thawed corn, black beans, diced red and green bell peppers, and halved cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until well combined.
5. Assemble the Packets:
Spoon the veggie mixture evenly over and around each chicken breast on the foil. This will infuse the chicken with delicious flavors as it cooks.
6. Add Moisture:
Drizzle a bit of olive oil or give a light spray of cooking spray over the top of the chicken and veggies. This helps keep everything juicy while cooking.
7. Cheese It Up:
Generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of each chicken and vegetable pile—it melts beautifully during cooking!
8. Spice It Up (Optional):
If you like a little heat, add slices of jalapeño over the cheese for a spicy kick. If you prefer it milder, feel free to skip this step.
9. Seal the Packets:
Fold the foil over the filling to create packets. Be sure to seal the edges tightly so that steam is trapped inside, ensuring everything cooks perfectly.
10. Cooking Time:
Place the foil packets on your grill or a baking sheet in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender.
11. Open with Care:
Once cooked, carefully open the foil packets (watch out for steam!) and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime slices for a burst of flavor.
12. Enjoy!
Squeeze fresh lime juice over the filling just before serving to bring out all those Santa Fe flavors. Then dig in and enjoy your tasty, colorful meal!
These Easy Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun outdoor picnic. Enjoy every bite!
FAQ for Easy Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets
Can I Use Bone-In Chicken for This Recipe?
While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are recommended for quicker cooking, you can use bone-in chicken pieces. Just remember that they will require a longer cooking time, around 35-40 minutes, to ensure they’re fully cooked.
What Can I Substitute for the Black Beans?
If black beans aren’t your favorite, you can substitute them with pinto beans or even white beans like cannellini. Chickpeas are another great option for added protein and taste!
How Do I Store Leftover Packets?
If you have leftovers, store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat the contents in the microwave or in the oven until warmed through. For best results, add a splash of broth or water to keep things moist.
Can I Add More Vegetables?
Absolutely! This recipe is quite versatile. Feel free to add other veggies like zucchini, corn, or spinach. Just ensure that the total amount doesn’t exceed your foil packet size, as it could impact cooking time.
