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Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets {Portion Fix/21 Day Fix}

September 14, 2021 by Grandnanny 3 Comments

When my boys were growing up they thought a foil packet made just for them was so cool! I would never tell them what was in them so it was like opening a surprise present at the supper table. One of their favorite ones was Mexican flavored. I thought I would recreate those flavors with these Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets.

Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets

 

The ingredients for the foil packets

Let’s start this list with the FOIL. It is important to use heavy-duty foil if you can. If you can’t use heavy-duty then use multiple layers of the thin stuff. I try to tear off about 12-15 inches of the regular width and spray each one with olive oil spray. 

Foil for Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets

Canned corn and black beans drained and rinsed. I try to find the reduced-sodium versions of them if I can.

black beans

One cup of each one will equal 4Y. Mix them together in a bowl.

corn

Bell peppers and onions in any combination you want. I like heavy on the onions and light on the peppers! 

onions and peppers

Spices. I used Mrs. Dash Southwestern Chipotle Spice, salt, and garlic powder. The Mrs. Dash is SPICY! But you could use chili powder and cumin with the salt and garlic powder.

Chicken breasts that equal about 1 Red container.

4 chicken breasts

 Salsa of your choice. I used green salsa verde and red salsa/taco sauce. Here you can use your favorite salsa! I made 2 of each kind this day.

There is a great homemade salsa verde recipe HERE.

Putting the Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets together

Gather all the ingredients before you get started to make assembly easier. 

ingredients

Start with a base of corn and beans, 1/2 cup of the mix of them.

corn and beans

Add a layer of the onions and peppers. I mix the spices together and give this layer a sprinkle of 1/4 teaspoon. 

layer of onions and peppers

Layer the chicken on top of the whole pile and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of the spice mix added to it. 

layer of chicken and spices

Add 1/4 cup of your favorite salsa to the whole thing.

green salsa layer

Carefully bring the long side up and fold them down, kind of rolling and sealing hard as you go.

foled foil packet

Then carefully not to tip the contents again, fold the ends down to fully seal the packet. Make sure to bake/cook seam side up so they won’t leak.

Folded Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packet

My favorite fast way of cooking these is in my Instant Pot. 15 minutes and natural release gets them cooked all the way thru for me. If your chicken breasts are thicker you might want to cook them a few extra minutes.

Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets {Portion Fix/21 Day Fix}

Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are an easy-to-make and clean-up meal. Perfectly portioned and easily customizable will make this a family fav!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 12" pieces heavy-duty aluminum foil, sprayed with olive oil
  • 1 cup canned corn, rinsed and drained *mix with beans
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained *mix with corn
  • ½ cup bell pepper, chopped, mix with onions
  • ½ cup onions, chopped, mix with peppers
  • ½ teaspoon Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning, mix with other spices or ¼ teaspoon each of chili powder and cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt, mix with other spices
  • ½ teaspoons garlic powder, mix with other spices
  • 4 medium chicken breast
  • 1 cup salsa
  • ⅔ cup cheddar cheese, shredded OPTIONAL

Instructions
 

  • On each piece of sprayed foil add these in order:
  • ½ cup corn and bean mix,
    ¼ cup onion and pepper mix,
    ¼ teaspoon spice mix,
    1 chicken breast,
    ¼ teaspoon spice mix,
    ½ cup salsa
  • Fold the long sides down sealing tight. Then carefully fold the ends up, again making a tight seal. All the seams should be facing up. COOK SEAM SIDE UP.

INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS

  • **FOR COOKING 2 PACKETS: Place 1 cup of water and trivet in your 6qt Instant Pot. Place 2 of the packets side by side on the trivet with a space between them and cook for 15 minutes on "manual", 5 minutes natural release then quick release. (Check 1 packet for doneness.) Plate and CAREFULLY open foil.
  • **FOR COOKING 4 PACKETS: Place 1 cup of water and trivet in your 6qt Instant Pot. Place the first 2 as above and then place the next 2 packets crossways on top of them and cook for 20 minutes on "manual", 5 minutes natural release then quick release.(Check 1 packet for doneness.) Plate and CAREFULLY open foil.
  • ** If using cheese: CAREFULLY open foil and place on a broiler-safe pan (or use s crisper lid on Instant Pot). Add 2½ Tablespoons of cheese to each packet and broil for 3-5 minutes or till cheese is the color you like.

OVEN DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Place packets seam sides up on a cookie sheet or broiler safe pan.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes or till chicken is done.
  • ** If using cheese: CAREFULLY open foil and add 2½ Tablespoons of cheese to each packet and broil for 3-5 minutes or till cheese is the color you like.

Container counts for Portion Fix/21 Day Fix per 1 packet: 1R, 1/2Y, 1/2G - if using cheese 1/2B

    Keyword chicken, Healthy, Portion Fix

    What can you serve with these Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets?

    Often I like to use these as a 1 dish meal! I have my Red/Yellow/Green in one dish and it is a plate full. 

    Santa Fe Chicken Packets without Cheese

    Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets

    But sometimes I need more Green containers in my meal so I will add a side veggie. These Broiled Parmesan Tomatoes are just perfect because I will already have my oven on. I can leave my chicken dish without cheese and put cheese on these. Recipe HERE. 

     

     

     

     

    Filed Under: 21 Day Fix, Healthy Recipes, Portion Fix, Ultimate Portion Fix, Uncategorized

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elyssa

      January 29, 2022 at 9:08 pm

      Could you freeze these prior to cooking?

      Reply
      • Grandnanny

        January 30, 2022 at 9:08 am

        Yes, you can!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Hobo Dinner Foil Packets {Portion Fix/21 Day Fix} - Grandnanny's House says:
      October 12, 2021 at 11:36 pm

      […] I recently created a Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packet. Recipe HERE. […]

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    Teresa Castleberry
    Hi! I’m Teresa. I love sharing how eating healthier can be fun, and why my granddarlings love being at Grandnanny’s House!

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