Easy One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner Tonight

Whip up a flavorful One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner tonight for a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight meal that’s packed with vibrant spices and comforting textures. This dish brings together tender chicken, perfectly seasoned rice, and colorful veggies all cooked in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze while delivering bold, satisfying flavors everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple yet vibrant: The combination of sazón seasoning and fresh ingredients creates a bright, appetizing flavor with minimal effort.
• Minimal cleanup: Cooking everything in one pan means fewer dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
• Family-friendly: The balanced mix of protein, carbs, and veggies appeals to all ages and tastes.
• Quick prep: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.
• Customizable: Easy to adapt with different veggies or spice levels to suit your preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner relies on a handful of simple, accessible ingredients that each play a role in creating a meal bursting with flavor, texture, and appealing color.

• Chicken thighs or breasts: Firm and juicy protein that soaks up the sazón spices beautifully.
• Sazon seasoning packets: The star spice blend, adding a unique, savory flavor with hints of garlic and coriander.
• Long grain rice: Absorbs the savory broth, resulting in fluffy, flavorful grains.
• Chicken broth: Adds moisture and depth, ensuring the rice cooks perfectly and the chicken stays tender.
• Bell peppers: For a pop of color and natural sweetness that balances the spices.
• Onion and garlic: Classic aromatics that build savory flavor layers.
• Olive oil: Used for browning and enhancing the richness of the dish.
• Optional fresh cilantro: Adds herbaceous brightness when sprinkled atop before serving.

Variations for One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner

Feel free to make this recipe your own! It’s incredibly versatile and easy to modify based on what you have in your kitchen or your dietary preferences.

• Spicy kick: Add chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for heat.
• Vegetarian version: Swap chicken for firm tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
• Different veggies: Try zucchini, corn, or green beans for new textures and flavors.
• Brown rice swap: Use brown rice for a heartier, fiber-rich option; just increase cooking time slightly.
• Cheesy twist: Stir in shredded cheese right at the end for gooey richness.

How to Make One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients

Chop the onion, bell peppers, and garlic finely. If using chicken breasts, cut them into even pieces so they cook uniformly. Measure out your rice and broth for easy access during cooking.

Step 2: Brown the chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with half the sazón seasoning and brown it on both sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the aromatics and veggies

In the same skillet, add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits to deepen the flavor.

Step 4: Cook the rice

Add the rice to the skillet and stir well to coat it in the oil and spices. Pour in the chicken broth and the remaining sazón seasoning. Stir to combine everything evenly.

Step 5: Combine and cook through

Return the browned chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the rice mixture. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

Step 6: Finish and garnish

Remove the skillet from heat, let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving to add freshness and color.

Pro Tips for Making One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner

• Pat chicken dry: Ensuring the chicken is dry before browning helps achieve a perfect golden crust.
• Use quality sazón: A fresher, authentic sazón seasoning peaks the best flavors.
• Don’t rush simmering: Allow the rice to absorb broth slowly for ideal texture.
• Cover tightly: A tight-fitting lid traps steam and cooks the dish evenly.
• Rest before serving: Letting it sit off heat lets flavors meld beautifully.

How to Serve One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a few sliced avocado pieces, or a drizzle of lime juice adds brightness and an extra layer of flavor that complements the rich skillet ingredients.

Side Dishes

Serve with a simple green salad dressed in citrus vinaigrette or some warm tortillas to scoop up every last bite, elevating this one skillet meal into a feast.

Creative Ways to Present

Present this dish right in the skillet at the table for a rustic, family-style meal, or plate it individually with a lime wedge and a dollop of sour cream for a restaurant-worthy touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making for even tastier next-day meals.

Freezing

This dish freezes well. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a covered skillet on low heat or microwave with a splash of water or broth to restore moisture and fluff up the rice.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work just fine; just be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out faster than thighs.

Is sazón seasoning gluten-free?

Most sazón seasoning packets are gluten-free, but always check the label to be sure, especially if you have dietary restrictions.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, swap chicken for hearty vegetables like mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a delicious vegan version.

What if I don’t have chicken broth?

You can substitute water, though using broth adds more flavor. Adding a bouillon cube to water is a good alternative too.

How spicy is this dish?

The sazón seasoning generally adds mild warmth with savory notes rather than intense heat, but you can always adjust with chili powder or cayenne pepper if you like it spicier.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so comforting and satisfying about a One Pan Sazon Chicken Skillet Dinner that comes together quickly without sacrificing any flavor. It’s the perfect weeknight hero recipe, effortlessly combining vibrant spices, tender chicken, and fluffy rice all in a single skillet. Give it a try tonight—you’ll be surprised how simple and delicious dinner can be when everything cooks together with care and a touch of sazón magic.

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