Ground Chicken Taco Skillet

Easy Low Carb Ground Chicken Taco Skillet Recipe

This Easy Low-Carb Ground Chicken Taco Skillet has quickly become one of my go-to weeknight meals. It’s the perfect skillet meal for busy nights, packed with ground chicken, bell peppers, onions, black beans, and taco seasoning—plus cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. It’s quick, healthy, and full of flavor, finished off with melted cheese, fresh avocado, and a sprinkle of herbs. It fits perfectly with a low-carb lifestyle—win-win!

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Low carb? But tacos need tortillas!” While you can definitely enjoy this on soft corn tortillas or even lettuce wraps if you prefer, using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice makes it perfect for those watching their carb intake!

More low-carb Mexican recipes: Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers, Mexican Chicken Soup, Taco Zucchini Boats, Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup, Ground Turkey Tamale Bowls.

How to make this low carb ground chicken taco skillet

  1. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a Dutch oven or deep-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then, add the diced bell pepper and garlic, and cook for another 6 minutes, until everything is soft but not browned.
  2. Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer, letting it cook for about 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
  3. After simmering, add the riced cauliflower, diced green chilis, and black beans. Stir to combine, and cook over medium heat for 2-3 more minutes.
  4. Top with chunky salsa and shredded cheese, then cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
  5. Once the cheese is melted, remove the skillet from the heat and top with fresh avocado and herbs. Serve warm!

Substitutions & Variations

  • Ground Chicken Alternatives: Not into ground chicken? You can easily swap it for ground turkey, ground pork, or ground beef—whatever you’ve got on hand! If you’re in the mood for chicken but don’t have ground chicken, just finely chop or mince chicken breast or use shredded chicken instead.
  • Cheese:
    If you’re looking for a bit more flavor, try swapping cheddar cheese with Mexican cheese or queso fresco for a creamy, slightly tangy finish. You can also make it spicy by adding jalapeño cheese or a cheese blend with pepper jack.
  • Riced Cauliflower: If you’re missing rice but still want to keep it low-carb, try mixing cauliflower rice with a little bit of brown rice or white rice. It gives you that satisfying rice texture without going overboard on carbs.
  • Sauce Variations: If you like your dishes creamy, a dollop of sour cream on top is always a winner. But if you’re looking for a low-fat option, Greek yogurt works just as well and still gives you that creamy finish.
  • For Extra Flavor: Want to kick up the heat? Add some red pepper flakes or stir in a little chili garlic sauce for an extra spicy punch. A splash of soy sauce or coconut aminos can also add some savory depth to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

  • Taco Bowls: Serve the taco filling over a bed of romaine lettuce or cauliflower rice for a healthy and satisfying low-carb option.
  • Ground Chicken Tacos: If you’re craving a more traditional taco experience, serve the skillet filling in flour tortillas or taco shells.
  • Sides: Pair your skillet with some classic Mexican sides like Spanish rice, black beans, or cilantro lime rice.
  • Add Guacamole: No Mexican feast is complete without guacamole! Make your own or grab your favorite store-bought variety for dipping or topping.

More ground chicken recipes!

FAQs

If you don’t have taco seasoning on hand, you can easily create your own by using common ingredients like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. It’s a great way to customize the flavor to your liking!

Yes! This taco skillet is a great way to prep meals ahead of time. Cook it and store it in an airtight container for easy meals throughout the week. You can also freeze leftovers to enjoy later—perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving easy chicken dinners!

The best way to reheat leftovers is by using a stove top or microwave. If using the stove, heat a little oil or water in a skillet over medium heat, then add the leftovers and stir occasionally until heated through. In the microwave, place the taco skillet in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot. You may need to add a splash of water to prevent it from drying out.

Yes, you can freeze this taco skillet! After cooking, allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. Label it with the date and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

I hope you give this Easy Low-Carb Ground Chicken Taco Skillet a try—it’s one of my favorite go-to easy meals when I need something quick, healthy, and packed with so much flavor. It’s a great option for meal prep or busy weeknights, and with just a few simple swaps, you can make it work for whatever you’re in the mood for. If you love Mexican food, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you, so feel free to leave a comment below!

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Ground Chicken Taco Skillet

Easy Low Carb Ground Chicken Taco Skillet Recipe

Ground chicken, veggies, taco seasoning, black beans and cauliflower rice cook together for a hearty, low carb meal – topped with plenty of Mexican blend cheese!
4.35 from 20 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1 tbsp. oil
  • 1 lb. ground chicken thigh
  • 1 packet taco seasoning I prefer gluten free
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 2 cups fresh riced cauliflower not frozen – can water down skillet
  • 1 4.5 oz. can diced green chilis
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup chunky salsa like Pace
  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

optional toppings

  • sliced avocado, chopped fresh herbs like cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Start by heating 1 tbsp. oil in a dutch oven or deep sided skillet, then add in diced onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat before adding in diced bell pepper and garlic. Cook until soft but not browned, about 6 minutes total.
  • Add in ground chicken to skillet, breaking apart with spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes, then add in taco seasoning packet and water. Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer to create sauce.
  • After 5 minutes simmering, add in riced cauliflower, diced green chilis and black beans. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 2-3 more minutes.
  • Top with chunky salsa and shredded cheese evenly over top. Cover skillet and lower heat to low to simmer and melt cheese (about 5 minutes).
  • Once cheese has melted nicely, take skillet off heat and top with fresh avocado and herbs. Serve warm!
Keyword cauliflower rice, ground chicken, keto, low carb, mexican, one pan, skillet, tacos
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4.35 from 20 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This meal is so delicious and easy to make. I make it over and over. When I started my journey of getting healthier, this recipe was the first that I found and loved. You CAN eat healthy and still eat so GOOD! Thank you, Cayla!

  2. 5 stars
    This meal is so delicious and easy to make. I make it over and over. When I started my journey of getting healthier, this recipe was the first recipe that I found and loved. I’m very grateful to Cayla for sharing her healthy recipes. You CAN eat healthy and still eat so GOOD!