Best 8 Tex Mex Chicken Melts Recipes

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Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine with our tantalizing Tex-Mex chicken melts. These culinary delights combine the best of both worlds, featuring tender, juicy chicken nestled between layers of melted cheese, all wrapped in a golden-brown tortilla. Get ready to embark on a flavor adventure as we present three delectable recipes that cater to every palate.

The first recipe, "Classic Tex-Mex Chicken Melts," takes you on a journey to the heart of Tex-Mex cuisine. This timeless dish features succulent chicken, gooey cheddar cheese, and a zesty salsa that brings a burst of freshness. Prepare to be captivated by the harmonious blend of flavors in every bite.

Next up, we have the "Southwestern Chicken Melts," a recipe that draws inspiration from the vibrant flavors of the American Southwest. These melts showcase a unique blend of spices, including chili powder, cumin, and paprika, that infuse the chicken with a smoky, earthy flavor. Topped with creamy avocado slices and a dollop of sour cream, these melts are a true celebration of Southwestern cuisine.

Last but not least, the "BBQ Chicken Melts" add a touch of smoky, sweet barbecue flavor to the classic Tex-Mex combination. Succulent chicken is coated in a tangy barbecue sauce, then topped with melted cheese and crispy bacon strips. A drizzle of honey mustard adds a touch of sweetness, creating a delightful balance of flavors in every bite.

Whether you're craving classic Tex-Mex flavors, Southwestern spices, or smoky BBQ goodness, these three chicken melt recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

TEX MEX CHICKEN AND RICE



Tex Mex Chicken And Rice image

A quick, one pot dinner of Tex Mex Chicken and Rice that is incredibly simple to make and loaded with Tex Mex flavors. Tender, juicy chicken thighs, beautifully seasoned with Tex Mex seasoning, cooked with lots of veggies and rice. Quick to make, little effort required, stellar results.

Provided by Joanna Cismaru

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
1½ pounds chicken thighs (boneless skinless cut into bite sized pieces)
2 tablespoons Tex Mex seasoning
2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
1 large onion (chopped)
2 medium bell peppers (red and green, chopped)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
15 ounce fire roasted tomatoes ((1 can diced))
15 ounce black beans (drained and rinsed)
8 ounces corn (canned or frozen, drained if canned)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2½ cups chicken broth (low sodium or no sodium added)
1 cup long grain rice (such as Jasmine or Basmati)
1½ cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 lime (cut in wedges for serving)

Steps:

  • Cook the chicken: In a large skillet or braiser, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thigh pieces and sprinkle the Tex Mex seasoning over the chicken. Stir and cook for 5 until the chicken is browned.
  • Cook onion and peppers: To the skillet, add the onion and bell peppers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  • Cook the rice: Next, add the tomatoes, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth and rice. Stir everything and bring to a boil. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through. The rice is done when all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat.
  • Finish the rice: Add 1 cup of the cheese and gently stir. Top with remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese, cover and let it sit for about 3 minutes or until the cheese melts. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 544 kcal, Carbohydrate 44 g, Protein 41 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 143 mg, Sodium 469 mg, Fiber 10 g, Sugar 7 g, UnsaturatedFat 12 g

TEX-MEX CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole image

This is a version of the famous King Ranch Chicken casserole. Careful, it packs a bit of heat!

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Baked and Roasted

Time 1h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (10 ounce) bag nacho cheese-flavored corn chips (such as Doritos®), crushed
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles
⅓ cup milk
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread corn chip crumbs over the bottom of the baking dish and press crumbs into place.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir onion in melted butter until tender, 6 to 7 minutes.
  • Stir diced tomatoes, cream of chicken soup. cream of mushroom soup, green chiles, milk, sour cream, chili powder, and cumin in a large bowl. Add chicken and cooked onion; stir to combine. Pour mixture over corn chips and top with Cheddar cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and cheese is melted, 55 to 60 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.9 calories, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Cholesterol 71.5 mg, Fat 29.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 24.2 g, SaturatedFat 11.4 g, Sodium 1209.4 mg, Sugar 4.8 g

TEX-MEX CHICKEN WITH BLACK BEANS & RICE



Tex-Mex Chicken with Black Beans & Rice image

I came up with this recipe for my sister who just got her first slow cooker and cooks mostly by throwing canned goods into a pot. It's a delicious go-to recipe for busy days. -Elizabeth Dumont, Boulder, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 5h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 chicken leg quarters, skin removed
1 envelope taco seasoning, divided
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Mexican diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 large onion, chopped
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
Minced fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Sprinkle chicken with 1 tablespoon taco seasoning; transfer to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, soup, onion, chiles and remaining taco seasoning; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or until chicken is 165° and tender., Prepare rice according to package directions. Stir in beans; heat through. , Remove chicken from cooking juices; stir sour cream into cooking juices. Serve chicken with rice mixture and sauce. Sprinkle servings with cheese, tortilla chips and cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590 calories, Fat 26g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 139mg cholesterol, Sodium 1461mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 38g protein.

TEX-MEX CHICKEN SPAGHETTI



Tex-Mex Chicken Spaghetti image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
1 pound spaghetti
Two 10 3/4-ounce cans cream of chicken soup
2 generous cups pulled rotisserie chicken (from about 1 large chicken)
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 poblano pepper, finely diced
1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp pepper jack cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, then drain.
  • Combine the spaghetti with the cream of chicken soup, pulled chicken, chicken stock, adobo sauce, seasoned salt, poblano pepper, bell pepper, onion and 1 1/2 cups of the pepper jack in a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste, then stir.
  • Transfer the mixture to a 13-by-9-inch casserole dish and top with the remaining 1 cup pepper jack. Bake until bubbly, about 45 minutes. Garnish with cilantro leaves before serving.

EASY TEX-MEX CHICKEN AND RICE



Easy Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 white onion, diced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Two 8.8-ounce bags microwaveable white rice
1 1/2 cups grated pepper jack cheese
Fresh cilantro, for serving

Steps:

  • In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and turmeric. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft and the spices are toasted, about 3 minutes.
  • Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, chicken and both bags of rice. Stir together and cook until the rice is heated through and beginning to absorb some of the liquid, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and sprinkle the pepper jack over the top. Cover with a lid and allow the cheese to melt completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Sprinkle over the cilantro and serve.

TEX-MEX CHICKEN MELTS



Tex-Mex Chicken Melts image

A great little snack or appetizer. These are very addictive. You can get fancy and use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of bread the add ingredients on top.

Provided by Chemaine

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 loaf French bread, thinly cut slices
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated, divided (1 cup)
10 ounces chicken meat (canned chunk white drained and flaked)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon southwest seasoning
1 garlic clove, pressed
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped

Steps:

  • Cut bread into 20 1/4-inch slices. Arrange slices on a baking stone.
  • Chop onion & bell pepper. Grate cheese. In a bowl, combine chicken, onion, bell pepper, 1/2 cup of the cheese, mayonnaise, Seasoning Mix and garlic; mix well.
  • Divide filling evenly among bread slices. Slice tomatoes. Place one tomato slice over filling on each bread slice. Snip parsley. In a bowl, toss remaining cheese and parsley to combine. Sprinkle over tomato slices.
  • Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 117.2, Fat 4, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 16.6, Sodium 205.9, Carbohydrate 13.4, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 0.7, Protein 6.6

TEX MEX CHICKEN CORN MELT



Tex Mex Chicken Corn Melt image

Sooo...I read all the fabulous posts on Tex Mex pies and casseroles and came up with this....husband LOVED it, but he is not picky...would love feedback, good or bad!! Plenty of subs in this recipe...use green chiles in place of banana peppers or any diced can of tomatoes in place of Rotel. I created this based on what I had on hand that smacked of Tex Mex....

Provided by Chef JenR

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 45m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained (Rotel)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1/2 cup onion, Chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons banana peppers, Chopped
4 tablespoons chopped pimiento
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup Bisquick or 3/4 cup baking mix
3/4 cup cornmeal
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
2 cups cheddar cheese, Grated

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400.
  • Toast the corn (I use an iron skillet) in the cooking oil for 3 minutes on one side, then turn and add the onion. Cook 3 more minutes and set aside.
  • Mix the shredded chicken with sour cream, mayo, banana peppers, pimento, cumin, garlic powder, oregano and chili powder. Set aside.
  • Mix the Bisquick, Corn Meal, milk and egg until combined, and press into a greased 9" pie pan or square 9" x 9" pan.
  • Layer with ricotta cheese, and sprinkle evenly 1/4 t cumin, 1/4 t garlic, 1 t salt.
  • Next layer with toasted corn and onions.
  • Next layer with chicken mixture.
  • Top evenly with Rotel tomatoes.
  • Bake at 400 for 20 minutes and then add cheese on top evenly. Bake for 5 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1028.7, Fat 61.7, SaturatedFat 27.2, Cholesterol 216.4, Sodium 2241, Carbohydrate 75.9, Fiber 7.1, Sugar 12.2, Protein 48.6

LOW FAT TEX-MEX CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE RECIPE



Low Fat Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe image

You'll love this easy chicken and rice casserole dish that's so easy to prepare. It fills you up, but not full of heavy ingredients. It's topped off with a handful of cheese that takes it over the top. And surprise....our kids LOVED it. WIN for everyone.

Provided by Elyse Ellis

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 13

½ onion (chopped)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
6.9 ounces chicken flavored rice and vermicelli mix (1 package)
14 ounces chicken broth (1 can)
2 cups water
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
2 tomatoes (chopped and seeded)
4 ounces mild diced green chilis (1 can, drained)
1½ teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried basil (crushed)
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
⅛ teaspoon pepper
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a saucepan cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender.
  • Stir in rice and vermicelli mix (including seasoning package); cook and stir for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in broth and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
  • Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes (liquid will not be fully absorbed).
  • Transfer the rice mixture to a large bowl. Stir in chicken, tomato, chiles, chili powder, basil, cumin and pepper.
  • Transfer to a 8 x 8 inch casserole dish.
  • Bake, covered, at 425 degree oven for 25 minutes.
  • Uncover and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Let stand about 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262 kcal, Carbohydrate 30 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Sodium 458 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

Tips:

  • Prepare Your Ingredients: Before starting, measure and chop all the ingredients to ensure a smooth cooking process.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh vegetables and herbs for optimal flavor and texture.
  • Don't Overcook the Chicken: Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to prevent dryness.
  • Use a Good Quality Cheese: Choose a flavorful cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack.
  • Don't Skimp on the Seasonings: Use a generous amount of spices and herbs to enhance the flavor of the dish.
  • Serve Immediately: These chicken melts are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oven.

Conclusion:

The Tex-Mex Chicken Melts are a delightful fusion of Mexican and American flavors, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. With a crispy tortilla base, tender seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and a zesty pico de gallo, these melts offer a burst of flavors and textures in every bite. Whether you're craving a comforting lunch or a fun dinner option, these chicken melts are sure to hit the spot. Get creative with your toppings and experiment with different ingredients to customize them to your liking. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and indulge in the deliciousness of these Tex-Mex Chicken Melts!

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