Southwest Chicken Pileup

Take your taste buds on a bold adventure with this Southwest Chicken Pileup, a vibrant and flavor-packed dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Juicy, spice-rubbed chicken breasts are seared to perfection and piled high on crunchy tortilla chips, creating a crave-worthy base for a colorful medley of charred corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and zesty red onion. A squeeze of fresh lime ties the flavors together, while layers of melted cheddar, creamy avocado, sour cream, and optional jalapeños bring indulgent texture and heat to every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, this recipe is as easy as it is impressive, combining Southwest-inspired flavors with fresh, wholesome ingredients for a truly unforgettable meal. Keywords: Southwest chicken, tortilla chips, easy dinner recipe, spicy chicken pileup, quick meal idea.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 0.5 cup red onion (finely diced)
• 0.25 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1 piece lime
• 4 cups tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 1 piece avocado (sliced)
• 1 piece jalapeno (sliced, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.

Step 4

Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and has an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 5

Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Then, dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 6

In the same skillet (no need to clean it), add the corn kernels and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred. Remove from heat.

Step 7

In a large bowl, combine the cooked corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mixture and toss to combine.

Step 8

To assemble the Southwest Chicken Pileup, start by spreading a portion of tortilla chips on each plate or a large serving platter.

Step 9

Top the chips with the diced chicken, followed by the vegetable mixture.

Step 10

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Step 11

Add dollops of sour cream, slices of avocado, and jalapeno slices (if using).

Step 12

Serve immediately and enjoy this flavorful and satisfying dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1801.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3236.7

Total Fat 187.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 32.2g
Cholesterol 464.6mg	0%
Sodium 4462.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 237.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.4g	0%
Total Sugars 32.4g
Protein 179.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1471.6mg	0%
Iron 15.6mg	0%
Potassium 2941.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.2%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 28.3%