Chicken Foil Packets are the perfect easy, breezy summer grilling meal! With heart-healthy pieces of chicken, some zesty seasonings and a handful of beans and veggies, an entire entrée can be made in no time at all…with no dishes!
We serve this meal with warm corn tortillas, homemade salsa and fresh guacamole for the perfect meal!
Chicken foil packets are great to take on a picnic, camping, or even just to the backyard grill. This Santa Fe Chicken recipe grills up a super tasty south-of-the-border flair! Perfect served over a bed of cilantro lime rice or a helping of cilantro tomato rice.
What is Santa Fe Chicken?
Santa Fe Chicken is a popular entrée that lets you mix and match the veggies and level of spice you want! Go for fresh, colorful vegetables that cook at the same rate as everything else!
Try seasoning with a homemade taco seasoning recipe or homemade chili powder to control your spice level!
How to Make Chicken Foil Packets
With a quick prep time, this recipe is great for busy summer days with a delicious balance of fresh veggies and beans.
- Place large pieces of foil (about 10”x10”), on a flat work surface & spray with cooking spray.
- Put chicken in the center of each piece and season. Add Veggies and salsa over each chicken breast.
- Fold in the ends to seal the foil packets and grill.
Let’s Get Grilling
On the grill, aim for about 20-25 minutes per packet, flipping halfway through. These can also be baked in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes or longer depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
Always test for doneness with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast, approximately 165°F.
Once done, remove packets and carefully open each packet and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Leaving the packets open, return to the grill and cook until the cheese is fully melted (2-3 minutes).
Remove from heat and top with sour cream, guacamole, black olives, jalapeños and more salsa! Serve over a bed of rice or with heated corn or flour tortillas for a fun twist!
More Foil-Pack Meals
- Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets – loaded with bacon & cheddar
- Cabbage and Sausage Foil Packets – only 5 ingredients!
- Pineapple Teriyaki Shrimp Foil Packets – light and fresh flavor
- Asparagus Salmon Foil Packets – ready in under 30 mins!
- Hobo Dinner Foil Packets – made with hamburger & potatoes
- Parmesan Chicken Foil Packets– 15 mins prep!
- Shrimp Boil Foil Packs – so flavorful & fresh
- Sausage and Veggie Foil Packs – loaded with fresh veggies
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 7-8 ounces each
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 15 ounces canned black beans drained & rinsed, 1 can
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels thawed
- 1 cup diced bell peppers any color
- ¾ cup salsa or 10 ounces Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack, 2 oz
- toppings as desired such as cilantro, tomatoes & jalapenos
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Place four large pieces of foil on work surface and spray each with cooking spray. Place 1 chicken breast on each piece of foil and season with chili powder, salt & pepper.
- Divide beans, corn, peppers, and salsa over top of chicken breasts.
- Fold in the ends to seal each packet. Place packets the grill vegetable side down for 10 minutes.
- Flip packets over and grill an additional 10-12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F.
- Place packets on a large baking pan. Carefully open packets and top with cheese. Place the baking pan back on the grill to melt the cheese.
- Top as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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I used Monterey Jack cheese and canned tomatoes with jalapenos. Served with Mexican rice. It was great. Will make again.
Been using some of the recipes here (not including this one yet but will for dinner tonight) & my husband has loved them so far! Easy & delicious recipes. Love, love, love! Thank y’all. ♥️
Thank you, Veronica! We appreciate you sharing that ❤️
Haven’t tried recipes yet but next weekend I’m trying this recipe for my family I know they will love. I’m so excited to try
Made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing and so filling. As it is just the 2 of us, I halved the recipe. Next time I will just make one serving, which will be plenty. Hubby is not a fan of chili powder so I used chipotle powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. I baked it in the oven. The chicken was so tender it cut with a fork. I served it with sour cream, jalapeños and sliced avocado. Will definitely make this again. Thank you for a great recipe.
I want to cook this in the oven what temp did u use? N how long
These can also be baked in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes or longer depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
A total keeper of a recipe. Turned out fantastic. I only added a bit more seasoning…seasoning the chicken with garlic salt, chili powder and Montreal seasoning. Served with sour cream, lime and quinoa on the side. Thank you for the great recipe!
Just amazing. I added a few chili pepper flakes to the packets. It gave a baby kick of spice.
That sounds like a delicious addition, Grams! Great Idea!
Can this recipe be baked in the oven instead of the grill?
Hi Peggy, these can be baked in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes or longer depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
I made this tonight absolutely delicious only thing I did different was pound the chicken breast and use pepper jack cheese. Will definitely making it again.
Love
These are delicious and our summer go-to! Trying tonight with shrimp instead of chicken. Yum!
What kind of corn do you use? Frozen, canned, or fresh? One of the pictures looks like fresh corn cut off the cob, which sounds amazing, but I’m a little concerned about it getting done in the time allotted for the chicken?
I used corn cut off the cob, but any type of corn will work, and it’ll cook no problem. Enjoy Wendy!
I have made these several times and they are awesome and so easy. Making them this evening for our “drinks on the porch” party celebrating summer, a bit early!
Curious if these stick, I have recently heard to put parchment paper on top of the foil then place chicken on top of that fold up and bbq.. I am very new to this so just curious :)
We haven’t had any issues with them sticking before, if you are worried about sticking you can use cooking spray on the inside and use non-stick foil!
looks awesome, have not tried it
The recipes look delicious!
What temp should a charcoal grill me on!l? 375 as well?
These foil packs can also be grilled at medium heat. Enjoy Shelby!
Could you make this in the air fryer?
Sure you could Deonn. Enjoy!
Hope to find good simply and easy recipes
This recipe was easy to prepare and took 20 minutes on the barbeque. Very tasty!
why is the sodium content so high for this recipe?
Is the nutrition information per serving or for the entire recipe?
Thank you for asking Kathy! I reviewed and found a small error and it has been corrected. Nutrition information is per serving as listed for the recipe (and is an estimate only). This is the case for all of our recipes. In this recipe, the sodium comes primarily from the salsa and the cheese, and of course will vary based on the actual ingredients used.
Can you cook in oven?
As mentioned in the post, these can also be baked in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes or longer depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Enjoy Cathy!