Description
Creamy Mexican chicken with cheese sauce brings zesty flavors dancing across your palate with authentic southwestern charm. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a perfect weeknight dinner that satisfies deep comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) cumin
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheeses and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (1/4 cup) diced green chilies
- 1/4 cup (1/4 cup) fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, creating an ideal environment for baking the chicken.
- Massage the chicken breasts with a robust blend of aromatic spices, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with a vibrant mixture of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Ignite a skillet with olive oil over medium flame, carefully searing the seasoned chicken until a golden-brown crust develops on each side, sealing in the rich flavors.
- Gently nestle the seared chicken into a baking vessel, preparing it for its final cooking stage.
- Create a luxurious cheese sauce by tenderly warming heavy cream in a separate pan, gradually incorporating shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses along with zesty diced green chilies, stirring until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform sauce.
- Lavishly cascade the molten cheese sauce over the waiting chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly and the cheese to bubble and slightly brown, typically requiring about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and add a final flourish of freshly chopped cilantro, which will introduce a bright, herbaceous note to the rich dish.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk to reduce calories.
- Choose fresh green chilies for more vibrant flavor and authentic Mexican taste.
- Consider adding sliced jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat and complexity to the cheese sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 150mg