Tex-Mex Cuisine Origins

Tex-Mex is a regional American cuisine that originated in Texas, blending traditional Mexican recipes with ingredients and cooking methods influenced by settlers from Europe, particularly Spain. The term “Tex-Mex” itself became popular in the 20th century, but the style of cooking dates back to the 1800s, when Mexican and Texan cultures intermingled. Ingredients like cheese, rice, beans, and spices were commonly used in Mexican households but took on a new identity with the addition of Texan staples like beef, chicken, and flour tortillas..

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch broiler-safe skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken and cook until golden brown on one side, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
2. Cook the Rice: Add broth, rice, tomatoes and their juice, beans, and ¼ teaspoon salt to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Nestle chicken, browned side up, into the skillet, along with any accumulated juices. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer gently until chicken registers 160°F, about 10 minutes.
3. Combine and Broil: Stir ½ cup Monterey Jack into the rice, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange chicken on top of rice, sprinkle with tortilla chips and remaining 1 cup Monterey Jack, and broil until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from oven (handle will be hot). Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)