Tex-Mex Spiced Skillet Dish

This recipe is one of those dishes that works for all meals of the day, whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or a weeknight meal. The flavors of this Tex-Mex-inspired skillet egg dish are bursting with nuance, and the entire thing is pretty easy to make. Simply serve it up with tortillas and whatever toppings you and your family love, and the meal is ready!

Why this recipe works.

I call this recipe a rescue meal. I have two stipulations for a recipe to be considered a rescue. The ingredients need to be pantry staples, and the meal needs to be made quickly. This fits both counts. The core of the meal is canned tomatoes, beans, and eggs. The tomatoes and beans are always in my pantry, and eggs are always in the refrigerator. Everything cooks together in a skillet with herbs and spices to create a perfect meal served with tortillas. The result happens to be vegetarian but does not skimp on the protein or the ability to leave everyone full and satisfied.

Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.

• Jalapeños have spice with flavor. The spice is not too strong but just enough to offer interest while adding the chili flavor needed.
• Cumin gives a warm spice without any heat to the meal. The cumin is subtle but drives the Tex-Mex flavors.
• Chipotle powder adds a smoky spice. The smokiness gives the impression more work went into the meal with intense flavor.
• Green chiles are a canned good staple. The chilies are brined and give a bright flavor to the recipe. Choose mild, medium, or spicy chilis for personal preference.
• Black beans add a bit of additional protein and some starch. using canned beans allows the perfect creamy texture with little cooking time.

Here’s how to make this recipe.

1. Brown the onion and jalapeño. Slice the onions into long pieces. Slice the jalapeño in half, remove the seeds and pith, and cut into a small dice. In a skillet over medium heat, add some neutral oil. Then add the onion, jalapeño, and salt, and stir to begin the cooking process. 

2. Add the spices. Once the onion has softened and browned slightly, mince the garlic and add it to the skillet. Stir the garlic around and let it cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then add the cumin and chipotle powder, and stir everything together to bloom the spices.

3. Add the beans and vegetables. Once the spices are bloomed, add in the green chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, and sweet corn. Mix everything together and let the mixture come to a simmer.

4. Cook the eggs. After the mixture has simmered, add the eggs, one at a time, right on top. Make sure to add the eggs gently so that the yolks do not break. Sprinkle the top of each egg with some salt. Let the eggs cook to the desired texture, whether slightly runny or fully cooked. Once everything is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and serve as desired. I prefer this served on a flour tortilla and topped with queso fresco, cilantro, and avocado.

These pro tips will make this recipe a success.

• If jalapeños scare you, simply remove the seeds and the pith. This is where most of the heat in the pepper resides. The rest of the pepper, once diced, will add such deep flavor that the jalapeño should be used if possible. You can always check the heat level of the jalapeño by placing a seed on your tongue and assessing how much “burn” there is.
• Before adding the onions and jalapeño to the skillet, ensure the neutral oil has warmed thoroughly. The warm oil will create more of a nonstick surface in the skillet and a better sear.
• To ensure that each egg stays intact and no shell gets into the mixture, break each egg into a separate small bowl. Then create a small indentation for each egg in the skillet mixture and gently pour the egg into each indentation.
• The eggs can be cooked to whatever texture is desired. If you prefer your eggs to be fully cooked, place a cover on the skillet to trap in some of the heat and ensure the eggs cook all the way through.

You’ll love these other weeknight dinner recipes.

• Weeknight ragù
• One pot stovetop tuna noodle casserole
• Sesame chicken and broccoli with coconut lime rice
• Sheet pan gnocchi
• Chicken fettuccine alfredo
• Sausage French bread pizza
• Spaghetti squash chicken casserole
• Three-cheese stuffed shells
• Chicken tortilla casserole
• One skillet lemon chicken with orzo and kale