This Healthy Chipotle Chicken Skillet recipe is my new obsession. This recipe has it all - smoky flavor from the chipotle peppers, sweetness from the butternut squash, and is a full meal in one pan. This will surely be a new family favorite once you try it!

I am a huge fan of skillet meals since they are so easy to prepare, and make cleanup on busy weeknights so much more bearable! A good skillet meal has it all - your protein, veggies, and starch all in one delicious package. This recipe delivers just that! Chicken for your protein; onions, squash and chipotles in adobo sauce for your veggies, and brown rice for the starch. Not only is this dish bursting with the most amazing flavor, it is healthy and easy to prepare. Total winner!

What Do I Need to Prepare this Chipotle Chicken Skillet?

While the full ingredient list is available in the recipe card below, here are some tips on what you will need to make this great healthy dinner recipe!

• Olive oil or avocado oil spray
• Boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Butternut squash
• Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• Brown basmati rice
• No salt added chicken broth
• Fresh lime juice
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges (for squeezing)
• Crumbled goat feta cheese (or cotija cheese if you can find it!)

You could use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs if you prefer white meat, but I think the thighs add so much more flavor to this meal which takes it to the next level. Although I think this chicken recipe is great as-is, some more ingredients you could add include black beans, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, or sour cream.

You could even make this low carb and substitute the brown rice for cauliflower rice. Although I have not tried this recipe with cauliflower rice, it should work and I would simply recommend you reduce how much chicken broth you add to the skillet. This is important, because the cauliflower rice will not absorb as much liquid as the regular rice!

How to Make the Best Chipotle Chicken Skillet

While the full recipe instructions are available below, here are some tips on how to make one of my new favorite healthy recipes for busy weeknight dinners!

• First, we will heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once your pan is hot, spray your oil onto the skillet and add your chicken thighs. Let them cook, undisturbed for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, so that you get that delicious sear on the outside of the chicken thighs. Once the chicken has been seared, remove the chicken with a pair of tongs and set aside on a plate.
• Turn the large nonstick skillet down to medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and squash to the pan. Sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until the garlic is fragrant and onions are softened, about 4 minutes. Add your chopped chipotles and some of the adobo sauce from the pan and stir to coat all of the veggies.
• Add the brown basmati rice to the skillet and bring the heat back to high. Immediately add the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with the wooden spoon to bring up the browned bits which add so much flavor! Bring the chicken broth in the skillet to a boil and add the chicken back on top of the rice, veggies, and broth. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, until the broth has been absorbed and the rice is cooked and tender. Check that the chicken is fully cooked, its juices should run clear and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165F.
• Remove from the heat, squeeze some lime juice over the skillet. Top with chopped cilantro and goat feta cheese. Serve from the skillet with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy one of my favorite easy dinners!

Other Recipes You Will Love

Also a fan of skillet dinners? I have lots of them for you! Check out the quick links for more one pan wonders!

• Simple Braised Chicken Thighs with Leeks
• Tandoori Chicken Tikka Bowls
• Easy Skillet Greek Lemon Chicken
• Simple Cabbage and Chicken Thigh Skillet
• Miso Sablefish (Black Cod)
• Peach and Balsamic Chicken