Description
Savory Mexican chicken with cheese sauce blends zesty spices and creamy textures from traditional Mexican cuisine. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup heavy cream
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium temperature, drizzling olive oil to coat the surface.
- Create a robust spice blend using chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, thoroughly coating each chicken breast.
- Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked, achieving an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a waiting plate.
- Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and introduce butter, allowing it to melt and create a flavorful base.
- Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, letting the mixture gently simmer and develop a rich consistency for 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate shredded cheese, whisking continuously to ensure a silky, uniform cheese sauce without lumps.
- Reintroduce chicken breasts to the skillet, carefully coating each piece with the luxurious cheese sauce and allowing flavors to meld for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Optional: Enhance presentation by scattering fresh diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro over the chicken before serving hot.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by modifying chili powder quantity for heat-sensitive palates or reducing for milder flavor profiles.
- Choose low-fat cheese and milk alternatives to create a lighter version of the cheese sauce for health-conscious individuals.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure maximum spice absorption and achieve perfect golden-brown exterior during searing.
- Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain moisture and prevent drying out, ensuring tender and juicy meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg