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As someone who is gluten free and allergic to almonds it is so important to me to eat delicious recipes without gluten or tree nuts. I absolutely love an allergy friendly easy dinner recipes that catered to more than one food allergy! As I went gluten free a lot of easy dinner recipes I would find online were gone because a lot of them use pasta or sauces that contained gluten. But NOT this one!

This One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet recipe is a easy gluten free recipe and easy nut free recipe. This taco night recipe comes together quickly, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy, just like my gluten free chicken taco rice casserole!

If you’re gluten free and looking for more recipes made with rice, I also love this easy greek rice bowl and this spicy tuna poke bowl. Both recipes are made with a base of rice which is 100% naturally gluten free!

why you’ll love this recipe

Chopped bell peppers and onions can be prepped in advance or used frozen for added convenience. Honestly I’m always looking for a way to save time and using frozen chopped peppers saves time… AND money.
Shredded chicken leftovers are perfect, eliminating extra cooking time. If you don’t have shredded chicken leftovers you can also buy a rotisserie chicken. I love the convenience of a rotisserie chick. It always saves me so much time, and thats the main idea here – to save time!
Adjust spice levels, toppings, and protein options to suit individual preferences and dietary needs. Sometimes when I’m feeling spicy I like to add some extra hot sauce or use a spicier salsa!
Cooking everything in one pan eliminates the need to boil rice separately or dirty additional pots and pans. I HATE doing dishes so a one pan meal is my dream.
Easy Storage: Leftovers of the One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet can be stored directly in the same pan, minimizing container usage and simplifying meal prep.
Lean Protein: Using skinless, boneless chicken breast keeps the fat content low. You can also use chicken thighs if you have but my personal preference is a leaner cut of chicken.
Low Fat option: Opt for reduced-fat cheddar cheese or a blend with lower fat content to maintain a lighter feel. Its totally up to you what cheese to use, sometimes when I want to avoid any extra saturated fat I use fat free cheese on top;
Cheese Alternatives: Substitute the cheddar cheese with dairy-free cheese shreds or crumbled tofu for a vegan option. I am lactose intolerant so I love giving an easy dairy free cheese swap option.
Doubling this easy recipe makes for the perfect leftovers for quick lunches or another easy dinner!

ingredients & substitutions

Cooked, shredded chicken: Leftovers, rotisserie, or baked work great. If you don’t have shredded chicken leftovers you can also buy a rotisserie chicken. I love the convenience of a rotisserie chick. A rotisserie chicken always saves me so much time, and thats the main idea here – to save as much time as possible! You can also cook chicken with chicken broth in the slow cooker to make your own shredded chicken. I also sometimes use ground turkey, ground chicken or lean ground beef.

Chopped peppers and onions: Green, red, or orange peppers work. Use frozen chopped peppers to save time!

Cooked white rice: Brown rice or quinoa are healthy swaps. I love using frozen or microwavable rice to save myself some time! You can also use brown rice, cauliflower rice or a mix! I do this to make this recipe low carb!

Cheddar cheese: Use shredded cheddar cheese or a mexican cheese blend. Reduced-fat or dairy-free alternatives work too.

Enchilada sauce: Salsa verde or taco sauce are good substitutes.

Lettuce, salsa, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, jalapenos, green chilies, green onions: Pick your favorite taco toppings! Go dairy-free with plant-based yogurt or guacamole.

taste & texture

This One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet delivers a fiesta of flavors in every bite. Savory chicken mingles with sweet peppers and onions. Creamy cheese and tangy sauce add richness. Soft rice completes the base. Each mouthful offers a satisfying blend of textures: tender chicken, crisp veggies, fluffy rice, and melty cheese. I like to spice it up with salsa, hot sauce or jalapenos.

directions

Step 1

Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the yellow onion or white onion and pepper, and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Increase heat to medium-high and add the cooked chicken. Stir to heat through and break up any large pieces.

Step 3

Add the cooked rice and stir to combine with the chicken and vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to warm through.

Step 4

Drizzle the enchilada sauce on top.

Sprinkle lots of cheese evenly over the mixture.

Step 5

Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 6

Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Top the One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet with your favorite toppings! Chopped lettuce, salsa, diced avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and jalapenos are all great options.

expert tips & tricks

For a vegetarian One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet, replace the chicken with cooked black beans or pinto beans. My mom is vegetarian and she would love this meal with the chicken removed and more vegetables added.
Add a kick of spice by sprinkling chili powder or cayenne pepper on top before serving. I love to add jalapeños or hot sauce!
I like to serve this dish with tortilla chips for dipping.
For a vegan One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet, replace the chicken with cooked black beans or crumbled tofu. Swap cheddar cheese for a dairy-free alternative like shredded cashews or nutritional yeast. Top with plant-based sour cream and guacamole.

how to serve, store and meal prep

Serve this One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet straight from the pan with your favorite toppings like lettuce, salsa, and avocado.

Leftovers of the One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, I like to freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw frozen portions in the fridge overnight or microwave on low power until warmed through.

I love a good meal prep! For meal prep, portion the One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet mixture into individual containers before adding the cheese and sauce. Freeze these portions and assemble them fresh with toppings when ready to eat. This makes for quick and convenient weekday lunches or dinners!