Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Southwest Black Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender sautéed chicken breast paired with spiced black beans and peppers, offering a vibrant Latin American flavor profile. This Latin American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, black beans, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 3 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice 2 chicken breasts into 1/2-inch strips. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and sauté for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 diced yellow onion and 1 diced red bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp chili powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 drained and rinsed can (15 oz) black beans, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and cooked chicken strips. Cook together for 3 minutes until heated through.
  5. Step 5: Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Southwest Black Beans take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Southwest Black Beans?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Southwest Black Beans?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Southwest Black Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Southwest Black Beans?

Latin American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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