Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets

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Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets offer juicy chicken breasts layered with black beans, sweet corn, and colorful peppers, all seasoned with chili powder and finished with vibrant salsa. These foil packets cook quickly on the grill or in the oven, locking in bold Southwestern flavors and keeping the chicken moist. Melted Mexican cheese on top adds creamy richness, while fresh toppings like cilantro and jalapenos lend brightness and heat. Perfect for outdoor cooking or weeknight dinners, these packets bring together wholesome ingredients with minimal cleanup, making mealtime both easy and delicious.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Sat, 14 Jun 2025 19:41:13 GMT
A foil wrapped dish with chicken, corn, tomatoes, and peppers. Pin it
A foil wrapped dish with chicken, corn, tomatoes, and peppers. | gracefulflavors.com

Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are a go-to meal when I want something loaded with flavor yet easy enough to throw together for a busy weeknight or a lazy campfire dinner. Juicy chicken breasts get nestled in a bed of black beans, sweet corn, and vibrant peppers, all wrapped up with a generous spoonful of salsa. These packets seal in every drop of goodness and deliver a festive, hearty dinner with practically zero clean-up.

Every time we make these on a camping trip, the smoky aroma always draws a crowd. The kids love choosing their own toppings and making each packet their own creation.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I always look for firm and plump pieces around seven to eight ounces each for best results
  • Chili powder: This brings a gentle heat and earthiness like a classic Santa Fe style spice
  • Salt and black pepper: To balance and enhance all the flavors in your packet
  • Canned black beans: These add hearty protein and creaminess Choose a can that is low sodium for more control over seasoning
  • Frozen corn kernels: Sweet bursts that play so well with the smoky chicken Defrost fully for even cooking
  • Diced bell peppers: Any color adds juicy crunch and extra sweetness Look for firm and glossy peppers for freshness
  • Salsa or Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: Use whichever you have Salsa gives bold tomato flavor Rotel adds a little kick Just be sure to drain any excess liquid
  • Shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack: This brings ooey gooey meltiness and the perfect finish I love using freshly shredded cheese for the best melt
  • Toppings like chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, or sliced jalapenos: These add color and fresh flavor at the end Choose your family’s favorites

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Grill or Oven:
Preheat your grill to a steady medium-high heat If using the oven preheat to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit This step gets your cooking surface ready to seal in flavor and evenly cook the chicken
Prep the Foil and Chicken:
Lay out four large sheets of aluminum foil then coat each with a quick spray of cooking oil Set one chicken breast on each piece of foil and sprinkle evenly with chili powder salt and black pepper This ensures the chicken gets seasoned all over
Add the Veggies and Salsa:
Spoon a quarter of the black beans corn and diced peppers over each chicken breast Follow with a generous scoop of salsa or drained Rotel making sure every topping is spread evenly This keeps the chicken juicy and locks in moisture
Seal the Packets:
Carefully fold in the ends of the foil tightly to create a packet with no gaps The tighter you seal the foil the better the steam can work its magic
Cook on the Grill:
Lay the packets onto the grill with the vegetable side down first Grill for ten minutes then flip the packets so the chicken side faces down Grill another ten to twelve minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reads one hundred sixty five degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer
Cheese and Serve:
Using tongs move the packets to a baking sheet and carefully open them away from your face Sprinkle the tops with cheese then return the open packets to the grill just until the cheese melts Add any toppings you like and serve right out of the foil for easy cleanup
A plate of food with chicken, corn, beans, and jalapenos. Pin it
A plate of food with chicken, corn, beans, and jalapenos. | gracefulflavors.com

Cheese is always my best part Sometimes I sneak in an extra handful when no one’s looking The first time my sister saw the gooey cheese stretch she begged for seconds and it became a family tradition to top it sky high

Storage Tips

Store any leftover chicken foil packets tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to three days Reheat gently in the oven at three hundred fifty degrees or transfer to a skillet and cover until warmed through I like to slice leftovers and wrap in tortillas for easy lunches

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have black beans try pinto or kidney beans They both offer the same creamy texture For extra spice use pepper jack instead of Monterey Jack and swap out mild salsa for a hot variety You can also use boneless chicken thighs which stay juicy even if overcooked

Serving Suggestions

Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets are great on their own but really shine alongside warm flour or corn tortillas Spoon the filling into each tortilla for an instant taco night I also love pairing with a simple avocado salad or hot cooked rice for extra heartiness

A plate of food with chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and limes. Pin it
A plate of food with chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and limes. | gracefulflavors.com

Cultural Context

Foil packet cooking has deep roots in Southwestern and camping traditions where meals are built around layers of flavor simply cooked over an open fire The Santa Fe version celebrates classic New Mexico ingredients like beans chilies and plenty of fresh veggies making it a flavorful homage to the region

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I prevent the packets from leaking?

Ensure you use heavy-duty foil and seal the edges tightly by folding them over twice. Place the seam side up to help prevent juices from escaping during cooking.

→ Can I bake these packets instead of grilling?

Yes, you can place the foil packets on a baking sheet and bake in a 400°F preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

→ Is it possible to use different vegetables?

Absolutely. Try adding zucchini, red onions, or even diced tomatoes for extra flavor and color. Adjust the size of the vegetables for even cooking.

→ How do I know the chicken is cooked?

Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer before serving for food safety.

→ What are good serving suggestions?

Slice the cooked chicken and serve it with warm tortillas, a side of rice, or top with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and diced tomatoes.

Santa Fe Chicken Foil Packets

Juicy chicken layered with beans, corn, peppers, and cheese, cooked in foil for easy cleanup and vibrant flavors.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mexican-American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 foil packets)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (7–8 ounces each)
02 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
03 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
04 15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
05 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
06 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
07 3/4 cup salsa or 10 ounces Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
08 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack cheese (2 ounces)

→ Optional Toppings

09 Chopped fresh cilantro
10 Diced tomatoes
11 Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Step 02

Arrange four large pieces of foil on your work surface and coat each with cooking spray. Place one chicken breast on each piece and season with chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 03

Evenly distribute black beans, corn, bell peppers, and salsa or Rotel mixture over each chicken breast.

Step 04

Fold in the sides and ends of each foil piece to securely seal the packets.

Step 05

Place the sealed packets on the grill, vegetable side down. Grill for 10 minutes.

Step 06

Flip the packets over and grill for an additional 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 07

Transfer the packets to a baking pan. Carefully open each packet and top each with shredded cheese. Place the baking pan back on the grill just until the cheese has melted. Finish with desired toppings such as cilantro, tomatoes, or jalapeños before serving.

Notes

  1. For easier serving, slice the cooked chicken before plating. These packets are excellent served with corn or flour tortillas.

Tools You'll Need

  • Grill
  • Aluminum foil
  • Tongs
  • Large baking pan
  • Cooking spray

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk (cheese blend or Monterey Jack).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 541
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: 64 g