Description
Savory Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce brings zesty southwestern flavors to your dinner table. Creamy, spicy layers combine with tender chicken, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) chopped green chiles
- Salt
- Pepper
Garnish:
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapenos
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Craft a robust spice blend combining chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to generously coat chicken breasts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet at medium temperature, carefully searing chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 7-8 minutes per side.
- Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate, reserving the flavorful skillet for the upcoming cheese sauce.
- Reduce skillet heat and melt butter, creating a smooth base by whisking in flour until no lumps remain.
- Gradually incorporate milk, continuously whisking to develop a luxurious, velvety sauce that thickens smoothly.
- Lower heat and fold in sharp cheddar cheese and zesty green chiles, stirring until cheese melts completely and sauce reaches a silky consistency.
- Season cheese sauce with additional salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Arrange cooked chicken on serving plates, generously cascading the warm cheese sauce over each piece.
- Elevate presentation by garnishing with vibrant chopped cilantro, spicy sliced jalapenos, and fresh diced tomatoes.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the harmonious blend of spicy chicken and creamy cheese sauce.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by modifying chili powder and adding jalapeños to suit personal heat preferences.
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs or plant-based alternatives like tofu for dietary variations.
- Use low-fat cheese and milk alternatives to create a lighter, healthier version of the cheese sauce.
- Allow chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to ensure maximum juiciness and even distribution of internal moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg