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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Easy Chicken and Beans Skillet (5 Ingredients)

    Published: Apr 28, 2023 · Modified: Jul 25, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

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    All you need to make this easy weeknight chicken and beans recipe are five simple ingredients! Using canned baked beans, juicy chicken, and bacon this dish really packs a flavor punch.

    Beans and chicken recipe served in a bowl topped with cheese.

    This easy beans and chicken dish is perfect for busy nights during the week when life is crazy! All you need are five ingredients -- it's really that siimple!

    Most of time I have them around which makes this meal for those nights I don't want to cook or something comes up last minute!

    If you're on the hunt for more recipes using canned baked beans, try this slow cooker kielbasa and beans! It's also so easy to prepare!

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • It is a fast and easy meal to make! Perfect when you need to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!
    • Cooks in one skillet which means cleanup is a breeze.
    • The leftovers are perfect for lunch during the week or for another dinner!
    • Budget-friendly meal. It’s an economical way to feed your family without sacrificing flavor.
    • Warm comfort food with hearty, simple ingredients.

    Ingredients

    It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this dish and they're all at your local grocery store if you don't already have them in the freezer or pantry.

    The main ingredients are listed here but you'll find the complete list along with amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    Ingredients in beans and chicken on the table.
    • Bacon: Crisp bacon infuses the dish with smoky flavor.
    • Chicken thighs: I prefer this chicken skillet dinner cooked with juicy chicken thighs but you can also use chicken breasts. Choose skinless, boneless to save some prep time.
    • Baked beans in tomato sauce: These canned beans are the base of the sauce for this chicken and baked beans recipe.
    • Shredded cheese: Cheese added to the dish makes the sauce creamy and delicious. Any type of cheese that melts well works best with this canned beans recipe.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Add More Vegetables: Cook some sliced mushrooms or bell pepper along with the onion to add more veggies.
    • Like it Spicy? Add a teaspoon of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the skillet. Serve up this homemade hot pepper sauce or your favorite hot sauce on the side.
    • Sausage and beans: Swap the chicken for kielbasa or Italian sausage.

    How to Make Easy Chicken and Beans Skillet

    This is a super easy one skillet meal that you can make with very little effort. The highlights are listed here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    1. Cook the bacon and onions together until the onions are soft.
    Overhead shot of bacon and onions in skillet.
    Overhead shot of cooked bacon and onions in skillet.
    1. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until done.
    2. Return the onions and bacon to the skillet.
    Overheat shot of raw chicken in skillet.
    Overhead shot of cooked chicken and bacon mixture in skillet.
    1. Add the beans to the skillet with the chicken.
    2. Add the cheese on top.
    Canned baked beans added to the chicken.
    Cheese added on top of the beans and chicken.
    1. Cook until the dish is heated through and the cheese melts.
    2. Serve up with more cheese on top if you want!
    Cheesy chicken and beans in a skillet.
    Chicken and baked beans in a bowl with cheese on top.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
    • Freezer: Store in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
    • Make Ahead: This dish reheats very well, so feel free to make it earlier in the day or the night before.
    • Reheat: Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F or microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.
    A spoonful of chicken with beans on a spoon up over a bowl of more.

    How to Serve Chicken and Baked Beans

    This dish pairs well with simple sides! Here are some ideas:

    • I really love skillet broccoli or sauteed spinach for a simple veggie.
    • Air fryer garlic bread, cornbread, or biscuits are perfect for dipping in the sauce.
    • You might also want to serve other homestyle favorites such as mashed potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, or coleslaw.
    • It's also great served with brown or white rice as a side dish. For a quicker option, try some couscous.

    This delightful meal deserves a side dish to bring out the delicious flavors. For ideas, go to What to Serve With Coq Au Vin.

    Tips

    • Be sure your skillet is nice and hot so the chicken sears on the outside without overcooking on the inside.
    • Cooking the bacon and onion together yields the best flavor profile.
    • Remove your bacon and onions after cooking with a slotted spoon so you have grease left in the skillet to cook the chicken.
    • Be sure to wipe out the skillet when you're finished cooking the chicken to avoid a greasy dish.

    FAQ

    What can I use instead of chicken?

    If you are looking for a vegetarian option you could substitute the chicken with tofu, tempeh, mushrooms, or another veggie meat alternative. Whichever option you choose be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

    Can I serve this bean and chicken skillet for a crowd?

    Definitely. This dish is easy enough to make even when preparing food in bulk yet tastes delicious enough to impress all your guests!

    A bowl of chicken and beans with a spoon in it.

    More Chicken Recipes

    Do you like chicken? Here are some recipes you may also like to try

    • Closeup overhead shot of red chicken in white bowl with rice.
      Easy Red Chicken
    • Stir fry sweet and sour chicken in a skillet with chopsticks.
      Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs
    • A plate with chicken and biscuit casserole on it.
      Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake
    • Easy Healthy Chicken Stir Fry
      Easy Healthy Chicken Stir Fry

    Watch How to Make This Easy Chicken and Beans Skillet

    YouTube video
    A bowl of chicken and beans recipe with bacon on the table topped with cheese.

    Easy Chicken and Beans Skillet

    Karin and Ken
    Easy Beans, Bacon and Chicken is made with baked beans in tomato sauce, bacon and chicken. Fast and fabulous recipe is perfect for any day of the week!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 336 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • can opener
    • cutting board
    • Sharp knife
    • large skillet
    • Tongs
    • slotted spoon
    • paper towel
    • wooden spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup onion, chopped
    • 8 slices bacon, chopped
    • 12-16 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite sized pieces
    • salt
    • pepper
    • 2 cans (14 oz) baked beans in tomato sauce
    • 1 cup cheese, shredded
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, over medium high heat, cook bacon until crisp and onion until it is tender.
    • Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to drain on paper towel. Set aside.
    • Add chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    • Cook for between 3 and 5 minutes. Chicken should be cooked and browned.
    • Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towel.
    • Wipe out skillet. I usually use paper towel to do this.
    • Return chicken to your skillet, bacon and onion mixture, beans and cheese.
    • Stir until heated throughout and the cheese is melted.
    • Sprinkle some additional cheese and some green onions on top if desired. 
    • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Be sure your skillet is nice and hot so the chicken sears on the outside without overcooking on the inside.
    Cooking the bacon and onion together yields the best flavor profile.
    Remove your bacon and onions after cooking with a slotted spoon so you have grease left in the skillet to cook the chicken.
    Be sure to wipe out the skillet when you're finished cooking the chicken to avoid a greasy dish.
    Looking for a yummy side dish? Find one here at What to Serve With Coq Au Vin.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 47gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 229mgSodium: 315mgPotassium: 595mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 196IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chicken and bean recipe, chicken and beans, chicken and beans recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
     

    This post was originally published February 2018. It has been updated with new images and content.

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    Comments

    1. Dara says

      May 01, 2023 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great dinner idea for me and my family. So hearty. The bacon really goes well with the beans and chicken. I could eat it every day. So could my kids which makes it a,winner in my house. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        May 05, 2023 at 1:44 pm

        I love this easy chicken dinner. Glad you do too. With or without the bacon this is one of the easiest dinners to make on earth! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin

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