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This simple One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake is the perfect pantry staple recipe. Cuban(ish) seasoned chicken, rice, peppers, black beans, and tomatoes all cooked together in one skillet, then topped with plenty of cheese, avocado, and fresh cilantro too. Simply toss the skillet in the oven to create the perfect cheesy, one skillet, Cuban inspired chicken and rice dinner. There’s nothing not to love. This dish is easy, takes under an hour to make, is cheesy, and all-around delicious!
And just like that, I’m back with another one skillet pantry staple dinner. Sure hoping you guys aren’t sick of these yet because I’ve been loving using my skillet these days. One, I have a new style Staub skillet I’ve been using and I’m really loving it. And two, skillet dinners are easy, no fuss, and pretty much always turn out so darn delicious.
Plus, I’ve found that while living life under quarantine, every pantry staple ingredient is made better in the skillet. I don’t know why, but it’s true. Which brings me to this simple, one skillet Cuban inspired dinner. It packs in all the flavors we love in Cuban cooking, plenty of onion, lots of oregano, black beans, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice…all in one skillet. It’s not full-on traditional Cuban cuisine, it’s just a fun take that’s so delicious.
The inspiration.
One of the questions I get asked all the time is where I find my inspiration. The answer is simple, I find inspiration everywhere and anywhere. For today’s recipe, I remembered back to a Cuban dish I created a few years ago and wondered if there was a way to turn that recipe into an even simpler skillet dinner.
Not going to lie, some of the recipes I created way back in the day were long and a little overly completed. The truth? They simply didn’t need to be that way, but I just didn’t know any better at the time. You learn and get better as you grow, right?
Thankfully, I’m always learning, and even better? I’ve honed my skills with my skillet in ways that usually turn out a delicious recipe.
Case in point, this skillet dinner. It has all the flavors of that original bowl recipe, but minus all the work and time. It’s light, bright, and fresh, but still has an element of cozy (I mean come on…cheesy baked rice). This dish is perfect for not only these weird times we’re living in now, but also these early days of spring. When some days it’s nice, and other days it’s cold and rainy (or snowy), and you just need comfort food.
Here are all the details.
As always, step one is finding yourself a great skillet. This is the exact matte black one I am using. But I also want to note that it comes in this pretty blue color too. I love the slightly larger and deeper eleven-inch skillet, but any oven-safe skillet, or even dutch oven, will work great for this recipe. Use what you got and make it work!
PS. this is not sponsored. I just wholeheartedly love this skillet.
Next, cook up the onion. Then add the chicken, bell pepper, garlic, and spices. Allow the chicken to brown, then toss in a handful of broken spaghetti.
Yes, spaghetti, or angel hair, which is actually what I use. Hey, I never said this was traditional Cuban, just Cuban inspired. Using a combination of broken pasta and rice makes this almost more like a Rice-A-Roni or rice pilaf bake, it’s such a nice addition. And perfect if you have an almost empty box of pasta just sitting in the pantry waiting to be used.
Allow the pasta and rice to get a little toasted, then add water. Bring this mix to a boil, cover and let the rice steam for a bit. This only takes ten or so minutes. You do not need to cook the rice completely, as it will finish cooking in the oven.
Now, once the rice is “al dente”, the rest is pretty simple and comes together quickly. Stir in the black beans, plenty of cilantro, fresh lime zest, and a good amount of lime juice too. Top the skillet full of chicken, rice, and cheese, preferably Swiss, which makes this similar in flavor to the classic Cubano sandwich. Transfer the skillet to the oven, bake until the cheese is melty and the sauce is bubbly.
And that’s it. Simple right? This dish smells incredible as it bakes away in the oven, but trust me, it tastes even better.
The toppings.
This brings me right to the toppings, which I actually kept kind of simple. But sometimes simple is really all you need.
I topped this cheesy bake with wedges of avocado, plenty of fresh lime juice, and cilantro too. If you can get your hands on it, baby watercress would also be a great (and very Cuban) ingredient, to add.
If you wanted to take the toppings a step further, I would recommend a pineapple salsa or mango salsa. Either would be delicious and would add a nice pop of vibrant color too!
What’s great about this one-skillet cheesy Cuban chicken rice bake is that it incorporates a variety of flavors and textures. Yet it’s all made simply in ONE skillet, using all pantry staple ingredients.
Well, almost all pantry staples. If you don’t have a fresh bell pepper on hand, try using jarred peppers, or swap the pepper for a vegetable you do have. Cauliflower and zucchini would both be great options.
This is already in my rotation of “back pocket” recipes. I’ve made it three times since photographing the dish. It’s just so good, and it’s different…which is really nice! I’ve found a lot of “pantry style” recipes to be among the same flavor profiles. I love that this really switches things up!
My only suggestion? Add a fun cocktail to livin’ up your Thursday night. Highly recommending my Orange Pineapple Moscow Mule.
Looking for other skillet dinners? I have a few to pick from….
One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake
Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
Lastly, if you make this one skillet cheesy Cuban chicken rice bake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 578 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper using more or less to taste
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry broken spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini or dill pickles (optional)
- 1 (14 ounce) can black beans drained
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for serving
- zest and juice of 1 lime, plus more for serving
- 1-2 cups shredded swiss or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.2. In a large oven safe skillet, heat the olive oil over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and cook 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken, bell pepper, garlic, oregano, cumin, cayenne, and season with salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes until the chicken is browned. Push the chicken and vegetables to one side of the skillet, add the pasta and rice, cook 1-2 minutes, until lightly toasted and golden. Stir in the tomato paste and cook another minute. Add 2 cups of water and the pepperoncini, if using. Bring to a boil. Place the lid on the skillet and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook 15 minutes, until most of the liquid has cooked into the rice, but not all of it.3. Remove from the heat and stir in the beans, cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken/rice. Transfer to the oven and bake 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.4. Serve topped as desired with avocado, cilantro, and additional lime. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on March 26, 2020
The flavors are really good, but there isn’t enough cooking time for the rice— it was still crunchy. Next time I will probably cook the rice first.
I am sorry about that Julie! Please let me know if there is anything I could help you with! xTieghan
Deleted and added a few ingredients, but that’s just how I cook. It was absolutely delicious! I will make this often. Yum!!!
Thank you so much Carole! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I’d love to make this tonight but my family doesn’t eat meat…suggestions on additional veggies to bulk it up? Would cook time be the same is I use brown rice? Thank you and I love everything I’ve made of yours!
Hi Stephanie,
You could leave the meat out and add additional beans to the recipe! You can leave everything the same if you want to use brown rice. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I would like to make this tonight but am missing cilantro…. with this greatly alter the flavor? or is there a substitute?
Hi Monica! You should be fine without it! You could also use parsley or basil! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this and it was a hit. I did swap out a few things. Ground beef in place of the chicken because that was the protein I had. Chiles for the pepperoncini due to preference. And chili beans for the black beans because in these quarantine times the grocery store didn’t have a single black bean to be had! My 18yo said it would be better with black beans but you have to make do with what you can find these days. Nonetheless, he loved it!!! (And he is super picky.)
Agreed! You have to make with what you have! I am so glad this still turned out so well for you Dee! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Im cuban and didn’t knew about this recipe
Is this in any cuban recipe book?
Hi Lissett! No, this exact recipe will not be as it was inspired! I hope you try it! xTieghan
I’m not sure what I did wrong but my rice was still crunchy after the 15 minutes. I added more water and cooked for another 10 minutes.
The lime juice and zest was a great added flavor!!
Hi Beth! I am sorry this did not turn out well for you.. Is there anything that could have gone wrong while making it? Would love to help! xTieghan
Perfect recipe for utilizing pantry staples. I added a can of diced green chiles for a little extra kick. Will make again.
Thank you so much Aimee! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Questions:
1) we preheat the oven to 425, but never use the oven?
2) I see lots of avocado in the pictures and none in the recipe list?
3) how many cast iron skillets actually come with a lid?
Hi! Yes, you do use the oven in step 3 to melt the cheese. Also, the avocado is for topping, so feel free to add it if you like it, if not simply leave it out! Also, the type of skillet that I am using in the photos come with a lid. If you need an alternative, please let me know! xTieghan
Great, flavorful recipe! I used thighs (adjust time) and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime seasoning instead of cayenne. Left out beans, personal preference.
Just a great, easy meal!
Thank you so much Kathy! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
We made this for dinner the other night and it was amazing! I don’t have any cayenne pepper right now so I subbed chipotle Chile powder, but that’s the only change we made. We used brown rice also, so it took a bit longer to reduce, maybe about 20-25 minutes or so instead of 15 (I just kept an eye on it after 15 minutes so I’m not sure exactly how much longer we waited). We didn’t add any extra toppings and found the meal to be quite flavorful and rich on its own. The leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Caitlin!! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you! I hope you are staying well! xTieghan
Made this last night and it was a hit with the whole family. Made it just as written, except used orzo for the pasta. Super easy and quick to make. I’ll definitely make again. Could easily be vegetarian.
Thank you so much Chris! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! xTieghan
This was easy and delish! I used Swiss cheese and rather than broken pasta I used orzo since I had an open box.! Will. Make. Again!
Thank you so much Sue! xTieghan
Made this last night! Dreamed about all night. Woke up to my husband eating it for breakfast! Cant wait to make it again!!
Haha wow that is so amazing! Thank you so much for trying this Monica! So glad you loved it! xTieghan
Loving all your recipes with pantry staples! Will have to sub Basmati as the stores here in California have been out of Long Grain for weeks. I think the pepperoni will be great! Can’t wait for the reschedule of your book signing!
Thank you so much Lisa! I hope this turns out amazing for you! Also, I am looking forward to it as well! Hopefully soon! xTieghan