PF
Tasty seafood dish with cherry tomatoes and lime in a creamy sauce on wooden table.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet

This Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet provides 38g protein and 414 calories per serving — a high-protein, moderate-calorie option built for cutting phases and deficit training. Quick stovetop execution yields 4 servings, making it a reliable Thursday prep when time is tight. Stack multiple servings to hit 150g+ daily protein without excess calories.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(454g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • Chili powder(5g)
  • Cumin, Ground(3g)
  • Garlic powder(1g)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • Vegetable oil(8g)
  • Salsa, Prepared, Red, Store-Bought(454g)
  • Beans, Black, Canned, Drained(425g)
  • Corn, Sweet, Frozen(120g)
  • Sour Cream(80g)

    Regular or fat-free both work. Fat-free is thinner but saves ~40 cal/serving.

  • Cheese, Queso Fresco, Crumbled(57g)
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro or sliced green onions ($0.12)
  • 4 cups cooked rice for serving ($0.70)

Instructions

  1. 1Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and pound with a mallet to an even ½-inch thickness.
  2. 2Combine the chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken and rub to coat thoroughly.
  3. 3Heat the vegetable oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook 5–7 minutes per side over medium-high heat until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board to rest.
  4. 4Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the salsa into the skillet and stir to scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Add the black beans and frozen corn, stirring occasionally, until heated through (about 3–4 minutes).
  5. 5Temper the sour cream by adding 2–3 spoonfuls of the warm salsa mixture to it, one spoonful at a time, stirring between additions. Once warm, pour the tempered sour cream back into the skillet and stir until combined. Turn heat off.
  6. 6Slice the rested chicken into strips. Arrange the strips over the creamy salsa mixture in the skillet.
  7. 7Top with the crumbled queso fresco. Divide the entire skillet evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot.
  8. 8Serve each portion over cooked rice.

Nutrition — Per Serving

414

calories

38g

protein

14g

fat

Carbohydrates
34g
Saturated fat
5.0g
Sodium
564 mg
Dietary fiber
3.6g

4 servings per batch · ~402g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet have per serving?

Each serving contains 38g of protein and 414 calories with a balanced macro split of 14g fat and 34g carbs. This makes it one of the lower-calorie options while still delivering solid protein for a dinner meal.

How long does Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet take to prep?

This recipe qualifies as quick prep and makes 4 servings on the stovetop, so you can have a full batch ready in minimal time. It's efficient for weeknight cooking or meal prepping a few dinners at once.

Is Creamy Salsa Chicken Skillet good for fat loss?

At 414 calories and 38g protein per serving, this skillet fits well into a calorie deficit while maintaining satiety through protein content. The lower fat content (14g) compared to carbs (34g) keeps the calorie density down without sacrificing macros.

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