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. Save the leftovers, because there are many ways to make this Cowboy Chicken new again for meals throughout the week (see section near the bottom of this post!)
Cowboy Chicken Recipe
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!
How to Make Cowboy Chicken
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.
First, find a nice large casserole dish. Cowboy Chicken is LOADED with toppings, so you need ample space for it all. Lay the chicken breasts flat in the dish so they are not overlapping. If your chicken breasts are regular to thick, you may consider cutting them so that they are half the thickness. This will help them cook more quickly and evenly and absorb more of the flavor.
Sprinkle half of the Italian Dressing Mix evenly over the chicken. Make note that Italian Dressing Mix and Italian Seasoning are different. In this recipe we use Italian dressing mix. You can buy this at the store on the salad dressing aisle, or you can use my homemade version of Italian Dressing Mix. If you are gluten free I recommend you use the homemade version. It is quick and easy to make and can be kept on hand for up to a year to make this dish again and again!
Next mix all of the beans and veggies together with the garlic, oil, remaining seasonings and lime juice. When you are doing this step, make sure that all of the canned toppings are drained as well as possible so that they don’t add additional liquid to the dish.
Spread the mixture over the top of the chicken then bake uncovered at 375 for 45-50 minutes. Remove the chicken 5 minutes before the cooking has completed and sprinkle the cheese on to allow it to melt by the finished cook time. If you like your cheese crispier you can add it on earlier in baking.
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.
Do you have more EASY, one-dish chicken recipes?
Yes, I have lots! 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!
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Cowboy Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless
- 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 kernals, 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
- 2 tbsp italian dressing mix, divided
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup colby jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, about 1 lime
- 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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