This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Ready in only 35 minutes from start to finish, this chicken and summer squash recipe is loaded with yellow squash, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and juicy chicken. Made in one skillet with tons of good-for-you ingredients, it’s the perfect summer dinner!

Mexican Chicken and Squash skillet garnished with cilantro and lime juice.

This post is sponsored by Mazolaยฎ Corn Oil. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This chicken and squash skillet is a really easy and delicious way to use up a variety of seasonal summer vegetables.

Packed with summer squash, fresh corn, ripe tomatoes, juicy chicken breast, and my favorite Mexican-inspired spices, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners.

The tomatoes cook down to create a light and flavorful sauce, while a sprinkling of shredded cheese creates a top layer of melted ooey-gooey goodness.

Each serving is high in protein, loaded with good-for-you veggies, and just enough melted cheese to keep you coming back for more. Pure summer perfection!

Ingredients in Mexican chicken and squash skillet

Ingredients in chicken and squash skillet

  • Roma tomatoes and garlic
  • Spices – chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt.
  • Yellow squash and zucchini – I used both but you can use all yellow squash or all zucchini if you prefer.
  • Chicken breast – sliced into bite-sized chunks to help everything cook a little faster.
  • Shredded cheese – for that little something extra that will keep you coming back for more.
  • Mazolaยฎ Corn Oil – an all-purpose cooking oil that’s heart-healthy* and great for sauteing.
  • Corn – I used fresh corn kernels that I sliced off of 2 ears of corn, but you can use about 1 cup of frozen or canned corn kernels if you prefer.
Cooking chicken and squash in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

How to make chicken and summer squash

This summer squash recipe comes together all in one skillet or pot! Here’s how to make it:

  1. Saute onion and garlic: Cook the onions and garlic in a little Mazolaยฎ Corn Oil in a large skillet or pot for 3 minutes, until the onions begin to become translucent.
  2. Add chicken: Add the chicken, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and kosher salt. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
  3. Add vegetables: Add the yellow squash, zucchini, corn, and tomatoes. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the squash becomes fork tender.
  4. Melt cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat, top with shredded cheese, cover, and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese has fully melted.
  5. Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro and a sprinkling of fresh lime juice.
A southwest chicken and squash skillet topped with cheese and cilantro.

Serving suggestions

This dish is great served on its own or with a side of tortilla chips, but if you’re looking to stretch it even further, here are a few sides that would go great with it:

Chicken and Squash in a skillet with cilantro and limes.
4.73 from 37 votes

Chicken and Summer Squash

Ready in only 35 minutes, this chicken and summer squash recipe is loaded with yellow squash, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and juicy chicken.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and Iโ€™ll send this directly to you. Plus youโ€™ll get new recipes from me every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons Mazolaยฎ Corn Oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 yellow squash, quartered and sliced into ยฝ-inch pieces
  • 1 zucchini, quartered and sliced into ยฝ-inch pieces
  • 1 cup fresh whole kernel corn, sliced off from 2 medium ears of corn
  • 2 roma tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • chopped cilantro for garnish
  • lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Heat Mazolaยฎ Corn Oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.
  • Add chicken, chili powder, salt, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.
  • Add yellow squash, zucchini, corn, and tomatoes. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until squash starts to become tender.
  • Remove from heat, top with shredded cheese, cover, and let sit for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese completely melts.
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro and limes wedges.

Video

Notes

  • Squash: You can use all yellow squash or all zucchini if you prefer.
  • Shredded cheese: Cheddar, Monterey jack, colby jack, or mozzarella all work.
  • Corn: I used fresh corn that I sliced off of 2 ears of corn, but you can use about 1 cup of frozen or canned corn if you prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 807mg | Potassium: 788mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1053IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment and star rating below!

*See www.mazola.com for information about the relationship between corn oil and heart disease.

**Corn oil is a cholesterol-free food that contains 14g of total fat per serving. See nutrition information on product label or at Mazola.com for fat and saturated fat content.

You may also like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this Recipe:




23 Comments

  1. Kimberly Herberth says:

    5 stars
    Love this! Made it exactly as the recipe EXCEPT I left out the cheese. Sprinkled with just a little cojita before serving. Making it again tonight and have shared the recipe with several friends. Perfect for summer while the fresh veggies are at the stands!

  2. Kimberly H says:

    5 stars
    You have to try this!!! I have a reputation for tweaking recipes. I followed this recipe exactly as written. I wouldnโ€™t change a thing. The family loved it. Made Isabelโ€™s seasoned black beans as a side. Perfect meal and super healthy!!!!

  3. Alice says:

    Does this freeze well or do adjustments need to be made? I am cooking for one.

    1. Ana @ Isabel Eats says:

      Hi Alice! Yes this freezes well!

  4. Bob says:

    5 stars
    Always great , flavorful and reliable recipes. This one’s a keeper.

  5. Margot G Salazar says:

    5 stars
    I added chive cream cheese and Mexican shredded, left out corn and used stewed tomatoes instead flavor was off the chain !!!

  6. Stacy Burke says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Made with all fresh ingredients. This is definitely going in my rotation of regular meals. Thanks!

  7. Rob Baker says:

    We will cook the Authentic Mexican Rice along with your Chicken and Summer Squash this evening, however there are video issues on the website. Halfway through the video for Chicken and Summer Squash the video cuts to another video without completing, seems random.

    1. Ana @ Isabel Eats says:

      Hi Rob! Thanks for bringing this to our attention, we’ll work on getting it fixed!

  8. Jennifer says:

    5 stars
    Made the chicken with summer squash. Didnโ€™t have corn but fantastic anyway ! Thank you for sharing!

  9. Ellen says:

    5 stars
    Very good I will make this again. I used ground chicken because that is all I had on hand.

  10. Deborah Luna says:

    5 stars
    Made this using grey squash and a southwestern vegetable blend. Delicious!