Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe
Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce is a quick and easy dish combining tender chicken breasts with a rich, velvety cheese sauce infused with traditional Mexican spices. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this comforting recipe offers bold flavors with simple ingredients, delivering a satisfying meal great for the whole family.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup green chilies or 1-2 jalapeños, chopped (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Stir in the green chilies or jalapeños for a gentle heat boost.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the softened onions and garlic, stirring constantly to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream or milk until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Gradually add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring until melted and velvety.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the cheese sauce over it. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld and the chicken to absorb the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top for color and freshness. Serve immediately with your favorite sides such as tortillas, Mexican rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of flour or liquid in the sauce to achieve your desired thickness.
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for smoother melting and better sauce texture.
- Monitor cooking times carefully to avoid overcooking chicken; ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Use fresh spices rather than pre-mixed blends with additives for bolder, cleaner flavors.
- Let cooked chicken rest a few minutes before serving to retain juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: Mexican chicken, cheese sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, creamy chicken, spicy chicken, weeknight meal