This Cowboy Chicken is simple to make, but oh so delicious to eat! Chicken breast is smothered in a wholesome combo of corn, beans, black eyed peas, sweet bell pepper, and a medley of seasonings. Topping off this one dish meal with cheese brings it to the level of perfection! Not only is this dish delicious, but it is also hearty for a filling dinner.
If you are a fan of Cowboy Caviar, then hang onto your seat because this easy dinner just might knock your socks off. The dish was inspired by the flavors of the beloved appetizer and modifies the original Cowboy Caviar, to make it a perfect oven friendly baked dinner.
In case you have never had it, Cowboy Caviar is a dip made from beans, black eyed peas, corn, bell pepper and a few other ingredients, all marinated in an Italian dressing mixture. Traditionally you would use corn chips or Fritos to scoop up this hearty dip to eat. It is surprisingly delicious and addictive.
What to do you get when you take all of those delicious Cowboy Caviar flavors and bake them over chicken?….. Cowboy Chicken, of course!
Make sure to check out more of our one pan chicken bake recipes like our Chicken Cobbler, Easy Chicken and Peppers, and our Baked Caesar Chicken.
Cowboy Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken breast– You can use any boneless skinless cut including chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins.
- Black beans
- Black eyed peas
- Canned fire roasted tomatoes
- Corn kernels– canned or frozen both work well
- Bell pepper– Any color you prefer, I used a green pepper
- Sweet onion
- Diced jarred jalapeños, optional
- Fresh garlic
- Italian dressing mix – You can use store bought or make homemade Italian Dressing Mix.
- Olive oil
- Colby jack cheese– You can substitute Mexican blend, cheddar, or monterey jack
- Lime juice
- Cilantro, optional
Recipe Step by Step
Cowboy Chicken is super simple to make as promised. I am going to go over the steps here, as well as, give some some tips for making the recipe. Make sure to find the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Lay the chicken breast flat in a baking dish and season on both sides with the Italian dressing mix.
Create the Cowboy Caviar by combining the corn, black eyed peas, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, along with the rest of the seasonings and mixing.
Spoon the cowboy caviar over the chicken and top with shredded cheese.
Bake the cowboy chicken for 40-50 minutes or until it is cooked through. The thicker your chicken the longer this step will take.
Recipe Tips
- Use thinly sliced chicken breast– In order for the chicken to cook more quickly and more evenly, use thin chicken breast to make this recipe. You can also cut the chicken into chunks and get a similar result.
- Use a large dish– By spreading the chicken and toppings out in a larger casserole dish, it will allow the heat to distribute more evenly and the entire recipe will cook faster.
- Don’t over-cook the chicken- The number one enemy of tender juicy chicken is over cooking! Use a meat thermometer to cook the chicken to 165˚F internal temp. Cooking longer than this can make the chicken tough, dry, or chewy.
How to Serve Cowboy Chicken
Cowboy Chicken is a meal in and of itself with the generous amount of toppings that smother the chicken. If you want a quick and easy truly one dish meal, you can have it with this recipe. If you are like me though, you always like to have an extra side or two to keep everyone in the family happy and let each person, customize their meal to a certain extent.
Side Dishes to Serve with Cowboy Chicken:
- Rice- I like plain jasmine, cilantro lime rice, or spanish rice best with this dish.
- Cauliflower rice- If you are looking for a light option to serve with this dish, Cauli-rice is perfect. You can do plain or pair it with my Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Mashed Potatoes- Everything is good with these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes!
- Baked Potatoes- Like would be traditional if you were actually eating with cowboys around the campfire
- Texas Toast- Another cowboy friendly side
- Salad- Maybe my favorite side for this dinner, a simple green salad perfect balances this chicken dinner. I especially like it served with Homemade Ranch or Homemade Italian dressing.
You can pair it with one of these side ideas, or a few depending on how hungry you are, how much time you have and what your family likes. If you have other side dish ideas that pair well with this meal, let me know in the comments!
What to do with Leftover Cowboy Chicken
If you have leftovers of this chicken, they can be stored in the refrigerator to use throughout the week, or in the freezer to use throughout the month.
To store, separate chicken into meal sized portions and place in an air tight container
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer for up to a month
What to Make with leftover Cowboy Chicken
Those leftovers are perfect for several delicious meals. With just a little effort, your family won’t even know you are eating the same dish!
- Cowboy Chicken Burritos– Chop leftover chicken and scoop it into a large tortilla spread with sour cream. Add a scoop of rice, and the topping from the chicken, additional cheese, and sliced avocado. Roll up and enjoy!
- Cowboy Chicken Enchiladas– Shred leftover cowboy chicken and mix with remaining toppings. Scoop chicken mixture into a corn tortilla and roll it up and place in a baking dish. Repeat to fill. Pour red enchilada sauce over the top of the rolls and then top with cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted.
- Cowboy Chicken Baked Potatoes– Split and fluff baked potatoes. Shred leftover Cowboy Chicken and mix with leftover toppings. Scoop a heaping spoonful on top of each potato, then cover with cheese and broil on low in the oven until cheese is melted and chicken is heated through. Top with a dollop of sour cream and diced green onions.
- Cowboy Chicken Power Bowls– Chop Cowboy Chicken and mix with toppings. Fill bowls with prepared quinoa. Top with cowboy chicken, fresh guacamole, shredded lettuce, and a sprinkle of cheese.
Cowboy Chicken FAQ’s
I always recommend you make the recipe as written, but if you have special dietary needs, or other questions, check out my FAQ’s here to help you get the most out of this recipe.
Can I use chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or other cut of chicken for this dish?
Yes, as long as the chicken is boneless and skinless it should work well in this recipe. The cooking time will likely change based on the thickness and cut of the chicken though. All poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165˚F to be safe to consume.
Is this Cowboy Chicken Recipe spicy?
This recipe does have a little kick. It will greatly depend on how spicy the jalapeños you select are since there is a range from brand to brand. If you don’t want the dish to be spicy, you can omit the jalapeños and still have great flavor without the risk of spice.
Can I make Cowboy Chicken in the Crockpot?
Yes this dish will also work in the crock pot. I recommend adding all ingredients as directed, and adding the cheese 5 minutes before cooking is complete just as in the recipe below.
You can make this in a crock pot by cooking the Cowboy Chicken for 2.5- 3 hours on high or 4 hours on low.
More One Dish Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I have lots more with the same ease and deliciousness! Here are some you may enjoy:
I really do hope that you get a chance to try this recipe soon and that your family enjoys it as much as mine does!
If you do get a chance to try it, I would love it if you let me know! Not only does it make my day, but it also helps my website when you leave a review!
Cowboy Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp italian dressing mix, divided
- 1 cup colby jack cheese, shredded
For the Cowboy Caviar Topping:
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup canned fire roasted tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup corn kernels, canned or frozen
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup sweet onion, diced
- 1/4 cup diced jarred jalapeños, optional
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, about 1 lime
Garnish (Optional)
- 1 tbsp cilantro, optional
Instructions
- Lay the chicken breast flat in a casserole dish, then sprinkle 1 tbsp of the italian dressing seasoning over the top.
- In a bowl, mix the black beans, black eyed peas, fire roasted tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper, garlic, oil, lime juice, and the remaining 1 tbsp dressing mix until combined.
- Spread the bean mixture over the seasoned chicken. Bake uncovered on the middle rack at 375˚F for 45-55 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165˚F)
- 5 minutes before the baking is finished, remove the dish and cover the top evenly with cheese and return to the oven to cook until done.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice or with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Chicken — You can cut the chicken in half, chunks, or use chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs in lieu of full chicken breasts to make serving easier. Cooking time may be reduced. All poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165˚F to be safe to consume.
- To freeze before baking: Prepare your ingredients and place into an airtight container or freezer ziplock bag. Place onto a flat surface and freeze for up to 6 months.
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