Chicken Frito pie is a dish that typically consists of layers of corn chips (usually Fritos), cooked chicken, chili, cheese, and other ingredients such as beans, onions, and peppers. The dish is baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the Fritos become slightly crispy.
1 Yellow Onion
1-2 Roma Tomatoes
2-3 Garlic Cloves
6 oz Cheddar Cheese
6 oz Monterrey Jack
1 Can of Corn
1 Can of Black Beans
1 Can of Green Chilies
6-8 Boneless Chicken Thighs
Trader Joes Elote Seasoning
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Paprika
Grab the boneless chicken thighs and place them in a reasonable size Tupperware that’s big enough to mix it around with the seasonings. Add some olive oil to the chicken and add the following seasoning:
Mix it around and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before cooking.
This is is one of the easier dinner recipes to execute, but if you are looking for a way to make this even easier and save yourself some time, simply substitute these boneless chicken thighs with some pre-cooked rotisseries chicken. This will certainly make things a bit more convenient, but I don’t recommend it.
In order to keep the meat and vegetables separate throughout this recipe, I’m using 2 different pans. The first is a cast iron skillet, which will be used to cook the chicken thighs. If you’re going to use the cast iron skillet as well, make sure to put some vegetable oil throughout the skillet before cooking the chicken.
Pouring vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet before cooking is an important step for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to prevent food from sticking to the skillet. Cast iron skillets can be prone to sticking, especially when cooking foods that have a tendency to adhere to surfaces such as eggs or pancakes. The oil creates a non-stick surface that helps food release from the skillet more easily, preventing frustration and ensuring a successful cooking experience.
Secondly, it helps to distribute heat evenly across the skillet. Cast iron is known for its excellent heat retention properties, but it can take a little while for the skillet to heat up evenly. Adding oil to the skillet before cooking helps to ensure that the heat is distributed evenly across the surface, allowing for more consistent cooking.
Finally, it helps to season the skillet over time. Cast iron skillets require seasoning in order to build up a protective layer that prevents rust and helps to create a non-stick surface. By adding oil to the skillet before cooking, you are helping to build up this layer over time, ensuring that your skillet will last for many years to come.
Cook the chicken for about 4 minutes per side, then let it rest for about 5 minutes. Once it has had time to rest, cut the chicken into smaller cubes, or just bite size pieces.
Start by dicing your onions and tomatoes, then mince your garlic. This recipe is a balance between fresh produce and canned vegetables, which is a good method for several reasons.
Canned vegetables have a longer shelf life than fresh produce, making them a more convenient option for many people who may not have the time or resources to shop for fresh produce frequently. Mixing canned vegetables with fresh produce can help to ensure that you always have a supply of vegetables on hand, even if you are unable to purchase fresh produce regularly.
Secondly, canned vegetables can be more affordable than fresh produce, especially when certain vegetables are out of season. This can be especially important for those on a tight budget who are looking to maximize their nutrition while keeping costs low. Mixing canned vegetables with fresh produce can help to stretch your budget while still providing a variety of healthy options.
Thirdly, canned vegetables are often pre-cooked and ready to eat, making them a quick and convenient addition to meals. This can be especially helpful for busy families or individuals who need to prepare meals quickly.
Finally, mixing fresh produce with canned vegetables can provide a wider range of nutrients and flavors in your meals. Fresh produce often provides a more robust flavor and texture, while canned vegetables can provide a softer texture and a concentrated flavor. Combining these two types of vegetables can create a balance of flavors and textures that can enhance the overall taste of your meals.
Start by adding a tsp of butter and some olive oil to the skillet on medium heat. Once it’s warm enough, add in the onion and cook for a few minutes. Then, add in the garlic…cook for a few more minutes.
Once the onion and garlic has cooked for a bit, it’s time to add Trader Joe’s Everything But The Elote Seasoning. Elote seasoning is a blend of spices used to flavor Mexican-style grilled corn, also known as “elote.” The seasoning typically includes a combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and sometimes lime juice or zest. It can also include other ingredients such as paprika, black pepper, oregano, and onion powder, depending on the recipe.
Add in the fresh tomatoes and add a bit more Elote seasoning.
Once the onions, garlic, and tomatoes have cooked together for about 3 minutes, it’s time to add the 3 canned ingredients:
Stir the mixture thoroughly and begin to let the balance of fresh and canned vegetables start to blend together.
Lastly, add the bite size pieces of chicken to the vegetable mixture. Let this simmer for about 15 minutes, mixing every 5 minutes.
I suppose this makes it a chicken mixture now? Unsure.
While your chicken and vegetable mixture is shimmering, it’s time to shred the fresh cheese. I used Old Croc’s Sharp Cheddar and Taste of Inspirations Monterey Jack for these combination of cheese.
Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese are often paired together in recipes because they complement each other’s flavors and textures. Cheddar cheese is a rich, tangy cheese with a slightly sharp flavor, while Monterey Jack cheese is a milder, creamier cheese with a buttery taste.
The combination of these two cheeses creates a balance of flavors that is both complex and harmonious. The sharpness of the shredded cheddar cheese is balanced by the mildness of the Monterey Jack, while the creaminess of the Jack cheese provides a smooth texture that contrasts with the crumbly texture of the cheddar.
In addition to their flavor and texture profiles, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese also have similar melting properties, which makes them a great pairing for dishes that require melted cheese, such as quesadillas, nachos, and macaroni and cheese. When melted together, these two cheeses create a smooth and velvety sauce that is both delicious and versatile.
After you’re done shredding your cheese, preheat the oven to 350 degrees so that by the time you’re done assembling your Frito Pie, it’ll be time to throw it in the oven and melt the cheese.
Start by adding your Fritos, which will serve as the crust of the “pie”. These soften at the bottom and taste amazing once cooked with everything else on top of it.
Then for the second layer, add the chicken vegetable mixture above the Fritos.
Then add the third layer, which will be the combination of the freshly shredded cheddar and Monterey cheese.
Lastly, add the top layer of more Fritos. I was very tempted to crush these up to be more of a crumble chip topping, but I “chickened” out.
Ha.
Yeah, anyway…bake at 350 for 10 minutes to let the cheese melt.
There is a similar recipe to this considered a “Chicken Frito Casserole”, which essentially includes the addition of cream of chicken soup and cream cheese. So, if you’re looking for more of a casserole style, add those ingredients and throw them in a baking dish instead of keeping it in your skillet.
Scoop out some of the pie from the skillet onto a plate, and if you have any green onions laying around, give them a garnish for some extra flavor.
Enjoy!
“I’m gonna fix you up my world-famous chicken frito pie.” – Shawna
This dish is a popular comfort food that originated in the southern United States, particularly in the state of Texas. It is a variation of the classic Frito pie, which is a dish that typically consists of a layer of Fritos corn chips topped with chili, cheese, and other toppings.
The chili is replaced with a layer of creamy chicken mixture that includes cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cheese, and other ingredients. This mixture is spread over a layer of Fritos in a baking dish, and another layer of Fritos is added on top before baking in the oven until it’s golden brown and bubbly.
The origins of this recipe are somewhat unclear, but it has been a popular dish in Texas and other southern states for many years. It is often served at potlucks, family gatherings, and sporting events, and is a beloved comfort food for many. It is a quick and easy dish to make, and its delicious combination of creamy chicken and crunchy Fritos makes it a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion.
