The Ultimate Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe

Crafting a delectable mexican chicken with cheese sauce sparks joy in every home cook’s kitchen.

Melted cheese creates magic when combined with tender, seasoned poultry.

Vibrant spices dance across your plate, promising a burst of authentic flavors.

Comfort meets culinary creativity in this simple yet impressive dish.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with such a crowd-pleasing recipe.

Crisp ingredients and bold seasonings guarantee smiles around the table.

Dive into this mouthwatering creation that will become your new favorite meal.

What You’ll Need For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and versatile meat that serves as the main protein in this dish, absorbing the rich spice blend and creating a flavorful base.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: A harmonious mixture that adds depth, warmth, and robust seasoning to the chicken, enhancing its overall taste profile.

• Monterey Jack Cheese: A mild and creamy cheese that melts smoothly, providing a rich and velvety texture to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious thickness and creates a silky base for the cheese sauce.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth, glossy sauce.
• Sour Cream: Introduces a tangy element that balances the richness of the cheese.
• Jalapeño: Adds a spicy kick and fresh heat to the cheese sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps create a perfect golden-brown sear on the chicken.
• Cilantro: Brings a fresh, bright herb flavor that complements the rich chicken and cheese sauce.

Easy Instructions For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Spice Blend

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Combine all spices thoroughly to develop a robust seasoning mixture that will infuse incredible flavor into the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

Pat chicken breasts completely dry using paper towels. Generously coat each piece with the prepared spice blend, making sure every surface gets an even layer of seasoning.

Step 3: Sear Chicken to Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Wait until the oil begins to shimmer and looks hot, which typically takes 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Cook Chicken Until Golden

Gently place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until the exterior turns a beautiful golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 5: Rest Chicken

Transfer chicken from the skillet to a cutting board. Allow the meat to rest and retain its juices while preparing the cheese sauce.

Step 6: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce Base

Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Add butter and let it melt completely, creating a rich foundation for the sauce.

Step 7: Build Cheese Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet. Stir continuously to prevent scorching. Gradually incorporate monterey jack cheese until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 8: Finish Cheese Sauce

• Sour cream
• Diced jalapeño

Continue stirring until the sauce reaches a rich, slightly spicy consistency.

Step 9: Slice Chicken

Cut rested chicken breasts into diagonal strips, creating an appealing presentation.

Step 10: Plate and Sauce

Arrange chicken strips on serving plates. Pour warm cheese sauce generously over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 11: Add Final Touch

Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the dish for a bright, herbaceous finish.

Step 12: Serve Immediately

Bring to the table right away while the cheese sauce remains hot and the chicken stays tender and juicy.

Helpful Tips For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Rest for Juiciness: Allow chicken to rest after cooking so juices redistribute, keeping meat incredibly tender and moist.
• Prevent Burning: Use medium-high heat and watch skillet carefully to achieve golden-brown chicken without scorching.
• Cheese Sauce Secret: Gradually melt cheese at low temperature, stirring constantly for ultra-smooth, creamy texture without separation.
• Jalapeño Control: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on personal heat preference – remove seeds for milder sauce or add more for extra kick.

Tasty Twists For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Spicy Southwest Alternative: Replace monterey jack with pepper jack cheese for extra heat, add diced green chiles to the sauce for more intense flavor.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Swap heavy cream with coconut cream, use almond flour instead of traditional breading, maintain high-fat cheese sauce.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Substitute chili powder with dried oregano and thyme, use feta cheese instead of monterey jack, add chopped kalamata olives to sauce.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use nutritional yeast and cashew cream as cheese sauce replacement, incorporate plant-based milk for creamy texture, keep original spice blend.

Best Sides For Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Elevate Spicy Southwestern Chicken Experience
• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Bright, zesty white wine cuts through rich cheese sauce, balancing spicy chicken's bold flavors with refreshing acidity.
• Complement with Mexican Street Corn Salad: Grilled corn, cotija cheese, and lime create a perfect side that echoes the dish's southwestern spirit, adding textural contrast.
• Match with Jalapeño Margarita: Spicy cocktail amplifies the chicken's heat, with tequila and fresh lime juice providing a zingy, complementary drinking experience.
• Serve alongside Black Bean Salsa: Hearty, cool bean mixture with diced tomatoes and cilantro offers a fresh counterpoint to the creamy, warm chicken dish.

How To Store Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• Transfer leftover chicken and cheese sauce to separate airtight containers, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odor absorption.
• Wrap individual chicken portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze cheese sauce in a separate container for maximum 2 months. Label with date to track freshness.
• Gently warm chicken in a preheated oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to retain moisture. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.
• Warm cheese sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent separation.

Common Questions About Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

• What ingredients make the spice blend unique?

The blend combines chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, creating a bold and balanced seasoning that enhances the chicken’s natural flavor.

• How do I ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked?

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

• Why should I let the chicken rest before slicing?

Resting allows the chicken’s juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice remains moist and tender when cut and served.

• Can I adjust the spice level of the cheese sauce?

Yes, control the heat by adding more or fewer diced jalapeños to suit your personal spice preference.

Why Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Is A Craveable Dish

• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels and cheese intensity to match personal preferences, making this recipe adaptable for every palate.
• Minimal Kitchen Gear: Requires only a skillet and basic seasoning tools, perfect for home cooks with limited equipment.
• Restaurant-Quality Result: Delivers professional-style chicken with perfectly golden exterior and juicy interior, rivaling fancy restaurant dishes.
• One-Pan Wonder: Streamlines cooking process by using the same skillet for chicken and cheese sauce, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience.

Rich Mexican Chicken With Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce brings robust flavors straight from traditional kitchens. Melted cheese cascades over tender chicken, creating a mouthwatering experience that satisfies you with each rich, spicy bite.

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Ingredients

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Chicken and Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Cheese Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter

Seasoning and Spices:

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 jalapeño pepper (diced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Blend chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create a robust seasoning mixture for the chicken.
2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then generously coat each piece with the prepared spice blend, ensuring even coverage.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest on a cutting board while preparing the cheese sauce.
6. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add butter, allowing it to melt completely.
7. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent scorching, and gradually incorporate monterey jack cheese until smooth and creamy.
8. Whisk in sour cream and diced jalapeño, creating a rich and slightly spicy cheese sauce.
9. Slice rested chicken breasts into diagonal strips and arrange on serving plates.
10. Generously pour warm cheese sauce over chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a bright, herbaceous finish.
12. Serve immediately while cheese sauce is hot and chicken remains tender.

Notes

• Adjust spice blend intensity by increasing or decreasing chili powder for personal heat preference.
• Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as an alternative for more moisture and deeper flavor profile.
• Swap monterey jack with pepper jack cheese to elevate spiciness and add extra kick to the sauce.
• Select fresh jalapeños with vibrant green color for maximum flavor and consistent heat level.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg