Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets
Santa Fe chicken foil packets are a quick, healthy, and flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dinner featuring juicy chicken, colorful veggies, black beans, and melty cheese, all cooked together in easy-to-clean foil packets. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or cookouts, this recipe is endlessly customizable and guaranteed to please a crowd.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 medium bell peppers (assorted colors), sliced
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Tear off 4 large sheets (about 12×18 inches) of heavy-duty aluminum foil. If using regular foil, double up each packet.
- Cut chicken breasts into even pieces (about 1-inch thick). Slice bell peppers and onion, halve cherry tomatoes, and drain/rinse black beans. Measure out corn and cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Lay out each foil sheet, shiny side up. Drizzle about 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in the center of each.
- Layer sliced bell peppers, onions, corn, black beans, and cherry tomatoes in the center of each foil sheet.
- Place chicken pieces on top of the veggies. Sprinkle the spice blend generously over each chicken piece.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Bring the long sides of the foil up and over the filling, folding tightly to seal. Fold up the ends to create a sealed packet.
- Place packets on a baking sheet (for oven) or directly on the grill. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven or grill for 20-25 minutes, rotating once halfway through, until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Carefully open one packet to check for doneness. If chicken is not cooked through, reseal and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Let packets cool for a minute before opening. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Cut chicken and veggies into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Don’t overstuff packets to allow steam to circulate. For extra juiciness, add a spoonful of salsa or chicken broth before sealing. Let packets rest for a few minutes after cooking to redistribute juices. Easily customize with different veggies, proteins, or spice levels. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese or omit cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 foil packet (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 32
Keywords: Santa Fe chicken, foil packets, healthy dinner, Tex-Mex, easy chicken recipe, meal prep, gluten-free, grill, oven, family dinner