Creamy salsa verde chicken with rice and veggies all cooked at once in a foil packet! No need to pre-cook the rice or chicken. This dish takes no more than 10 minutes to assemble and is bursting with delicious Mexican flavor.
How crazy fun is this dinner?! Chicken, rice, veggies all done in one delicious foil packet. BAM. Dinner’s ready and you spent like a minute preparing it?
Majorly crushing on tin foil dinners these days. And I hope you love them too because I already have two other tin foil dinners all ready to post! We may or may not have had tin foil dinners for lunch and dinner every single day this week and last. ? Although, in all honesty, not every meal has been served in foil…I’ve gotten a little creative in re-purposing the dishes into something else. Like making the fillings of these packets into TACOS. Talk about so delicious and SO easy. (More details on that in the next section of text).
I’ve wanted to test all different sizes of chicken and to make sure these cook well in the oven. I’ve tried 4, 5, 6, and 7 ounce pieces of chicken (I highly recommend getting a food scale if you don’t already have one! It’s a lifesaver for baking AND cooking.) The best size for these packets is a 7-ounce piece. 6 ounces work too but is done in 5-10 minutes less time. For the 4 and 5 ounce pieces I found the chicken to be a little dry by the time the rice is all done. All the testing aside, it’s impossible for me to give an exact cooking time as the size of your chicken (if you don’t have a scale) and the heat of your oven will vary so much from person to person and even from my oven. My best recommendation is to make sure that your chicken is pounded to 1/2 inch thick and exactly 7 ounces. But be prepared to be flexible on timing as it could be anywhere from 30-50 minutes depending on the heat of your oven and size of your chicken. In my oven with a 7 ounce chicken it was completely cooked through at about 37 minutes. To be safe, check your chicken with a thermometer at about 35 minutes (it is done when it registers 165 degrees F) And if you have a smaller piece, start checking at 25 minutes.
I know it’s hard to tell from pictures, but to give you a general idea I weighed the chicken breast in the below GIF and it was exactly 7 ounces and pounded to 1/2 inch thickness.
Also since we’ve made these so many times, I’ve gotten a little creative and made tacos out of them. I’ve just taken out all the fillings (rice, black beans, corn), tossed it all together and put that filling on a taco shell. Then slice or shred the chicken, put on top, add plenty of shredded pepper-jack cheese and enjoy with some sour cream. It seriously makes for delicious and super quick tacos!
Since we’ve been making foil dinners like crazy here are a few tips I’ve learned along the experimental journey:
- ✔ NUMBER 1 TIP: Make sure the chicken pieces are trimmed and pounded to even thickness. 1/2 inch and 7 ounces is the best for these.
- ✔ Make sure the foil is completely 100% sealed off. This will not only keep juices from seeping out (juices that you need for things to cook evenly) and making a mess all over your pan, but it also keeps the chicken ultra moist. Without a tight seal your chicken will likely taste dry. Seal these tightly!
- ✔ When baking, place an extra piece of foil over a pan and put these on top of that pan. The pan just ensures that you won’t get any mess in your oven *just in case* something does seep out. The foil on top of that pan? It is just to ensure there is no extra mess on your pan. We don’t want to do dishes with foil dinners am I right?!
- ✔ Before putting ANYTHING in the foil, grease the foil super, super well with nonstick spray. You do not want the rice to stick to the bottom!
- ✔ After pulling these out of the oven make sure to give all the ingredients a good mix to get those delicious juices that have seeped below. You’ll also notice the cream cheese hasn’t quite melted so just spread that around with your fork and it will meld nicely with the chicken.
- ✔ Use heavy duty foil.
- ✔ Adjust your oven rack to the middle of your oven.
- ✔ TOPPINGS: these are key! This meal is pretty good as is, but it is spectacular with the “toppings.” The most important topping that is totally not optional is the cheese! Tons of melty pepper-jack cheese over this dish is insanely delicious. The other toppings are optional and since this is supposed to be an easy foil dinner, don’t worry too much about them. That said, they do give the dish some extra “wow factor” and don’t take too long. Our favorite additions: cilantro, fresh lime, sliced avocado, and sour cream. YUM. Also some extra salsa verde if you are really feeling that!
- 1 cup Instant white rice
- 1 and 1/2 cups water
- 2 (7 ounces each) large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon each: cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika optional
- 1 ounce full fat cream cheese
- 6 tablespoons salsa verde
- 1/2 cup roasted corn
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup pepperjack cheese
- Optional: roasted green chiles lime, cilantro, sour cream, red bell pepper
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
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Generously grease with cooking spray 2 large sheets of heavy duty tin foil.
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Weigh your chicken to get (2) 7-ounce pieces. Pound or slice the pieces to 1/2 inch thickness.
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Toss together the instant rice and water and let stand for 5 minutes.
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In a bowl, toss together all of the seasonings: cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, and paprika. Dredge each chicken breast evenly in the seasonings (both sides).
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Divide the rice and water mixture evenly among the 2 foil packets.
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Place the seasoned chicken on top.
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Slice the cream cheese into 4 equal pieces and place 2 pieces on top of each chicken breast.
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Pour 3 tablespoons of salsa verde on top of each chicken breast.
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Put 1/4 cup corn and 1/4 cup black beans next to each chicken breast. If desired add a few pieces of thinly sliced red pepper to each packet.
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Seal the packet allowing for expansion and make sure it is 100% sealed.
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Bake for 30-50 minutes** or until the chicken is completely cooked through (registers 165 degrees F)
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Mix everything around in your foil pack and top each with pepperjack cheese.
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Add other optional toppings as desired.
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TO GRILL: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and allow to heat for 10-15 minutes. Place completely sealed foil packets on grill for 25-35 minutes (or until chicken registers 165 degrees F) flipping once in between at about 10-15 minutes
**The size of your chicken and the heat of your oven makes it impossible for me to give you an exact time it should be done in. Be prepared to be flexible on timing as it could be anywhere from 30-50 minutes depending on the heat of your oven and size of your chicken. My best recommendation is to make sure that your chicken is pounded to 1/2 inch thick and exactly 7 ounces. In my oven with a 7 ounce chicken breast it was completely cooked through at 37 minutes
More foil pack recipes:
Foil Pack Garlic Parmesan Lemon Salmon
This looks so so good!! All those tasty Mexican flavors smothered in cheese! YUM! I’ve never cooked in foil packs before, I’ll have to try it out!
Thank you so much Alaina! 🙂 I love cooking in foil packs, so much fun! 🙂
These look delicious! Have you tried on the grill? I’m thinking this would be fantastic for family dinner at our lake cottage!
Yes, check step 15 for grill instructions. Enjoy Beth! 🙂
Does it have to be minute rice ??
Yes it does for it to cook correctly
I used the brown Microwaveable rice from Traders Joes – It worked perfectly
*** instant rice. Can’t I use regular rice? Or brown rice? It’s 2016 who uses instant rice anymore?
Regular rice does not cook in the right amount of time as everything else. If you’d like you can cook the rice separately
Could you use regular salsa instead of the salsa verde??
Absolutely 🙂
Making these tonight! I already messed up several steps (forgot to grease the foil and put the cheese on before baking – oops!)
I’m still optimistic.
Thanks for the recipe!
You are so welcome Rachel! I hope you loved it 🙂
Any idea if this could be assembled and then put into the crock pot on low?
Thanks, Mary
Sorry Mary I’ve never tried a tin foil dinner in the crockpot so I really have no idea how long to recommend it be cooked and how well it would work out. Wish I could be of more help!
Can this be cooked on a grill?
Yes absolutely! 🙂
Hi, Chelsea! I made these for dinner last week and it was one of our favorite meals I’ve made! One question. I had a hard time keeping the juices and everything in while sealing the packets. Do I pour the excess water from the rice in? They seemed a little runny but great overall when they were done. Just wondering if you have a tip for sealing without the water going everywhere!
Hi Andrea! I am so thrilled to hear that! It’s been one of our favorites as of late too 🙂 You do pour the excess water from the rice in but there shouldn’t be too much extra left. For keeping it all in, a few tips: get a super large piece of foil and try folding up all four sides of the foil before adding anything in. Create almost like a bowl with the foil and that should help in keeping everything together 🙂
What are the nutrtion facts for the dish??
Hi Melanie! Just added the nutrition label to this recipe for you. Right at the end of the post 🙂
This was my very first time preparing a foil packet dinner…and it most definitely will not be my last! I was a bit distracted during the prep and am pretty sure I left out the chili powder, but even still, it was absolutely delicious!! Thanks for a great recipe and for the extra tips, which I found very helpful!!! ?
Made this tonight! It was delicious but I get zero points for presentation after dumping everything out of the foil packs and onto a plate ? My chicken was bigger and 40 minutes was perfect! Yum! PS I used frozen sweet corn instead because that’s what was in my fridge.
This was delicious! So easy and flavorful. I took it to a friend who just had a baby!
So happy to hear that this was enjoyed! And what a sweet friend you are! Thanks for the comment April 🙂
We had a dinner party last night st a friends house and it was my turn to cook. I prepped 4 of these babies, brought them over and popped them in their oven. DELISH. Turned out fantastic! Everyone loved it. So easy and mess free.
That is so great to hear!! I’m thrilled these were a hit 🙂
What should the oven temp be to bake these foil dinners
400 degrees F 🙂
Do you cook the rice before putting it in the foil?
Nope 🙂 Just make sure you get minute rice and soak it; it will cook in the foil!
Made this tonight for supper. Family really liked it. Will definitely make again. I used a covered stoneware baking dish instead of foil & cooked rice separately.
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for the comment 🙂
Delicious, easy, & so full of flavor Thank you for sharing this!
I’m so happy you liked this dish 🙂 Thanks for the comment Susannah!
Made this recipe and it is delicious. Cut back on the rub for the chicken but that was my choice. Added a little seasonings/my choices to black beans. Everything tasted delicious, quick, no big clean up. Great recipe! Thanks, Chelsea.
So thrilled you enjoyed these foil packs Helen! Thanks for the comment 🙂
This was delicious. Can I get the nutrition facts. I didn’t see them on the post. Unless I am missing something 🙂
Hi Jenn! Unfortunately I don’t have nutrition facts on all of my recipes (yet!) so I’d recommend using My Fitness Pal in the meantime! 🙂
I tried this recipe step by step, and it is AMAZING!!!!!!!. Great flavor. My family love it.
So happy to hear it!! Thanks for the comment Trisha 🙂
Can these be made ahead and frozen then defrost to cook. I hope so. I have this vision of my freezer packed with these. Love this idea.
I wish I could tell you definitively but I’ve never tried freezing these before cooking them. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work though. Let me know if you give it a try 🙂
My mother used to make a dish very similar to this: suggestions: she brushed the chicken w/ a flavor called “Kitchen–something”–it was brown & gave a nice finish to the (white!) chicken. Also, the first layer was a thick slice of onion. Then the rice was added, etc. I will try yours, as you’ve added more than my mom did. Thanks!!
Barb Caton
Sounds delicious! 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
“Kitchen Bouquet” is probably the product your mom used😊
I am planning to cook this tonight, but am missing how the corn is roasted. Do you buy it roasted, does it roast in the foil? What am I missing?
If you grill it, it roasts in the foil, but you can also buy canned roasted corn. Enjoy!
Do you use frozen corn or canned corn? Do you roast it yourself or is there a pre-roasted kind I don’t know about! 🙂 🙂
You can buy roasted canned corn 🙂
And are the beans canned? Sorry for all the questions!! Thank you it looks so good I can’t wait to try it!
No worries at all! Yes, canned beans 🙂 (drained and rinsed!)
Fantastic recipe! Wife made it for dinner about a month ago, and I haven’t stopped thinking about those rice and beans since. She used the tomatillo salsa verde from Trader Joe’s and it’s straight up killer! Thanks!!
Love hearing that! Thanks for the comment Luke 🙂
How spicy is this? It looks so good but I want to make sure my kids will eat it 🙂
I’d say it’s mild. It definitely depends on the brands you use though on the salsa verde. If you are worried you can reduce the chili powder or always add it after. Hope it’s a hit!
made this before work….turned out great. Instead of black beans i used pinto cause my partner does not like black beans…had some fresh ears of corn on hand so i fire roasted them before adding them…also added a few cloves of garlic and slices of onions along with the bell pepper….will defientenly make again…half with the cream cheese and half without (not a big fan of CC, but always willing to try something different)
Sounds awesome! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed!! 🙂
Absolutely delicious! The only change I made to the recipe was adding chopped red bell pepper in with the corn. At 37 minutes the chicken was perfect! I wish everyrecipe was as specific as this one as to the weight of the chicken breast, they vary so much. Thank you!!
Ahh i’m so glad to hear this Erin! Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Oh my gosh! These are so good! I scaled down the seasoning for my kids and they turned out delicious. My kids said I was the best cook ever! Have made these a few times and they never disappoint!
I’m so glad to hear this! It’s the best when something is kid approved! Thanks Susie! 🙂
This is absolutely amazing! Made these the first time Thursday night, had to have them again last night 😊. Our family loves the Chipotle chicken bowls. After spending a fortune at Chipotle I started making ours at home several years ago. I always grill the chicken and veggies for it but have never prepared it all together in a foil packet. It’s the only way I’m fixing them from now on!! Thank you! Thank you ! Thank you!
I am so glad I found your blog! I made this dish last night for dinner, and it was amazing! I made my husband’s with the regular rice that is listed, and mine with cauliflower rice. Both turned out great! Thank you!
Ahh i’m so glad to hear you guys enjoyed this! And I definitely need to try it with the cauliflower rice!!:)
Can you use instant brown rice instead of white ? If you use califlower rice do you soak it in the water too? What if it’s frozen? Making these tonight!
Thank you
I wouldn’t recommend cauliflower rice for these, but I believe the instant brown rice should work fine 🙂 Enjoy!