I heat the canola oil in my skillet until shimmering, then toss in the bite‑sized chicken. After about 3 minutes, I add the chopped onion and taco seasoning, letting them stir together for another 2 minutes. This gives the chicken a flavorful sear while the onions soften.
Next, I pour in the black beans, the undrained RO‑TEL tomatoes with chilies, and a cup of water. I bring the skillet to a gentle boil—this blends the spices, beans, and zesty tomatoes into the chicken for a rich base.
Once it’s boiling, I stir in the instant brown rice, then cover and reduce heat to low. I let it simmer for 7–10 minutes, or until the rice is tender. The rice soaks up all that savory liquid, creating a cohesive skillet meal with minimal effort.
At the end, I fold in half the cheese, then top with the rest. Covering it melts the cheese beautifully. Right before serving, I sprinkle on fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness.