Easy Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe – Zesty Family Hit

Culinary magic happens when creamy mexican chicken with cheese sauce meets your kitchen’s creativity.

Cheese lovers will appreciate this mouthwatering combination of tender meat and rich, velvety goodness.

Unexpected spices dance through each delectable bite, promising an exciting meal.

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with this irresistible dish.

Home cooks can easily master these bold flavors without complicated techniques.

Simple ingredients transform into something spectacular that makes everyone at the table smile.

You’ll want to savor every single spoonful of this incredible recipe.

What’s Special About Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Conquer Challenging Flavors: Elevate your cooking skills with a recipe that combines complex spices like chili powder and cumin, transforming ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish.
• Streamline Meal Preparation: Master a one-pan technique that minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor, searing chicken and creating a decadent cheese sauce in the same skillet.
• Customize for Any Crowd: Adaptable recipe perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or gathering with friends, offering rich, comforting flavors that appeal to diverse taste preferences.
• Boost Nutrition with Zest: Protein-packed chicken gets a flavor boost from fresh cilantro and lime juice, adding brightness and nutritional value to a satisfying main course.

Must-Have Ingredients For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein base for this flavorful dish.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt, Black Pepper: Spices that create a bold and aromatic flavor profile for the chicken.

• Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Cream Cheese: Creamy cheeses that combine to create a rich and smooth sauce with depth of flavor.
• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Liquids that help blend the cheeses and create a silky, consistent sauce texture.

• Onions, Garlic: Flavor-enhancing ingredients that provide a savory and aromatic base for the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing chicken and preventing sticking in the baking dish.
• Fresh Cilantro, Lime Juice: Bright and zesty garnishes that add freshness and contrast to the rich cheese sauce.

Step By Step Guide For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Oven

Set the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Spice and Season the Chicken

Generously coat chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, ensuring complete and even coverage on all surfaces.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

In a large skillet heated to medium-high, sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side, creating a beautiful golden-brown caramelized exterior.

Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until the vegetables become fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Create a Luxurious Cheese Sauce

• Monterey jack cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Cream cheese
• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth

Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and fully melted.

Step 5: Assemble and Cover the Chicken

Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese sauce is bubbling and slightly golden.

Step 7: Rest and Settle the Flavors

Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.

Step 8: Finish with Fresh Garnishes

Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top and squeeze lime juice for a bright, zesty finish.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve hot, accompanied by the rich, creamy cheese sauce and optional side dishes of your choice.

Helpful Ideas For Making Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Prevent Dryness: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels before seasoning to help spices adhere better and promote even browning.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Shred cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded varieties for smoother, more consistent melting and richer flavor.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165°F without overcooking.
• Sauce Rescue: If cheese sauce separates, whisk in a tablespoon of cold water or additional cream to restore smooth consistency.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk and serve alongside roasted vegetables for a keto-friendly version.

Fun Ways To Switch Up Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace chicken with cauliflower steaks, using same spice blend and cheese sauce for a vegetarian, keto-friendly alternative.
• Turkey Protein Switch: Substitute chicken breasts with lean turkey breasts, maintaining identical seasoning and cooking technique for a lighter protein option.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, swap cheese with nutritional yeast and cashew cream for a completely dairy-free version that preserves creamy texture.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Upgrade: Add diced jalapeños to cheese sauce, incorporate chipotle powder in spice rub, and top with fresh pico de gallo for an extra zesty southwestern profile.

Perfect Pairings For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Elevate Cheese Chicken Pairing Delights
• Crisp White Wine Refresh: Sauvignon blanc or chardonnay cuts through the rich, creamy cheese sauce, balancing the dish's bold spices with its bright, acidic notes.
• Rustic Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lime vinaigrette to complement the chicken's warmth, adding fresh, peppery contrast against the decadent cheese sauce.
• Roasted Vegetable Side Kick: Prepare roasted bell peppers and zucchini with similar spices used in the chicken, connecting flavor profiles and providing textural variety to the meal.
• Zesty Mexican-Style Beverage Match: Serve a classic margarita or Mexican beer like Modelo to echo the dish's southwestern chili and cumin seasonings, enhancing the overall culinary experience.

Best Way To Store Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal texture.
• Wrap individual chicken portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat at 50% power in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying out.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Place chicken in baking dish, add splash of chicken broth to retain moisture. Cover with foil, warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs About Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute monterey jack and cheddar with other melting cheeses like pepper jack, mozzarella, or gouda for varied flavor profiles.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is safe and juicy.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has mild spice from chili powder and cumin. You can adjust heat levels by adding more or less chili powder or including jalapeños.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Prepare the chicken and sauce up to a day in advance, store separately in the refrigerator, and bake when ready to serve for best texture and flavor.

Custardy Mexican Chicken With Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican chicken with cheese sauce brings authentic flavors straight from Mexico’s culinary heart. Creamy, spicy layers create a mouthwatering experience that welcomes you to savor each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup shredded chicken

Cheese Components:

• 1 cup monterey jack cheese
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup cream cheese

Complementary Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1 lime, juiced

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish with a light olive oil coating to prevent sticking.
2. Season chicken breasts thoroughly with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and developing a rich, caramelized exterior.
4. Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking dish, then sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in the same skillet until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Create the cheese sauce by combining monterey jack, cheddar, and cream cheese with heavy cream and chicken broth in the skillet, stirring continuously until smooth and fully melted.
6. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring complete coverage and even distribution of the cheese mixture.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese sauce is bubbling and slightly golden.
8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the top for a bright, zesty finish.
10. Serve hot, accompanied by the rich, creamy cheese sauce and optional side dishes.

Notes

• Use chicken thighs or turkey breasts as alternative protein options for varied texture and flavor profiles.
• Swap dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese for lactose-intolerant or vegan diners.
• Control spice levels by adjusting chili powder quantity or using milder spice blends for sensitive palates.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding roasted bell peppers or spinach directly into the cheese sauce for extra vegetables and color.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 150mg