One Pot Mexican Chicken and Zucchini

When dinner needs to be fast, healthy, and family-approved, this One Pot Mexican Chicken and Zucchini is always a winner in my kitchen. It’s loaded with lean chicken, beans, corn, peppers, and zucchini, all simmered together with taco seasoning and tomatoes. You get all the flavor of your favorite Tex-Mex dishes but with fewer dishes to wash, and who doesn’t love that on a busy night?

You can keep it cheesy and melty with a layer of Mexican shredded cheese on top, or skip the cheese to keep it lighter. Swap in different veggies depending on what’s in your fridge, add extra spice if you like heat, or spoon it over rice or cauliflower rice to make it even heartier.

If you love quick skillet meals, you might also enjoy my Paprika Lime Chicken, Grilled Chipotle Ranch Chicken, or Chicken Taco Skillet for more weeknight inspiration.

Before You Get Started

A few quick tips to make sure this dish turns out perfectly every time:

• Cut the chicken evenly. Small, bite-sized cubes cook quickly and stay tender.
• Use drained tomatoes. Too much liquid will make the skillet watery.
• Cheese is optional. Keep it light by skipping or use a sprinkle of cotija or queso fresco instead of shredded cheese.
• Adjust spice level. Use more taco seasoning or add cayenne if you like extra heat, or tone it down with a mild taco blend.

How to Make One Pot Mexican Chicken and Zucchini

1. Cook the Veggies

Start by softening the bell pepper and onion in a large skillet with a little olive oil.

2. Brown the Chicken

Add cubed chicken breasts and half the taco seasoning. Cook until the chicken is golden and releases easily from the pan.

3. Add Zucchini

Toss in the zucchini and sauté just until slightly tender.

Tip: Add the zucchini near the end of cooking and sauté just until it’s tender but still slightly crisp. If your zucchini is very small or thin, reduce the cooking time even more.

4. Mix in Beans, Corn, and Tomatoes

Stir in the black beans, drained tomatoes, frozen corn, and remaining taco seasoning. Let everything heat through and blend together.

5. Finish with Cheese and Cilantro

Sprinkle with shredded cheese, cover for a minute to melt, and top with fresh cilantro before serving.

Variations and Add-Ins

One of the best things about this skillet meal is how easy it is to customize. Here are some detailed ideas to make it your own:

• Make it spicy: Stir in a diced jalapeño or poblano pepper with the onion and bell pepper. For more heat, add chipotle powder, cayenne, or a drizzle of hot sauce at the end.
• Switch up the beans: Black beans are classic, but pinto, kidney, or even chickpeas work well. Just rinse and drain them first. If you want to lower carbs, skip the beans entirely and add extra veggies.
• Add grains: Stir in cooked white or brown rice, cilantro lime quinoa, or farro toward the end for a heartier, burrito bowl-style meal. This is a great way to stretch the dish for more servings.
• Go low-carb: Skip the beans and corn and double up on zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Cauliflower rice stirred in at the end also works as a low-carb filler.
• Change the cheese: Instead of shredded Mexican cheese, try queso fresco, cotija, or even a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top. For dairy-free, use a plant-based shredded cheese.
• Load it up with toppings: Finish the skillet with guacamole, red salsa or green salsa, corn salsa, a squeeze of lime, sliced jalapeños, salsa, or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra flavor and creaminess!

Storage and Reheating

Here's how to keep leftovers fresh for days:

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out.
• Leftovers: Pile the leftover chicken and veggies into wraps, burritos, or grain bowls! You can also scoop it up with some baked tortilla chips.