The Ultimate Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe

Tucking into a delectable mexican chicken with cheese sauce sparks memories of vibrant street markets and sizzling kitchen aromas.

Colorful ingredients dance across your cutting board, promising a meal bursting with authentic flavors.

Comfort meets excitement in this simple yet bold culinary creation.

Creamy cheese cascades over tender chicken, creating a harmony of textures that feels like a warm embrace.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Spices whisper stories of traditional kitchens while delivering a punch of deliciousness.

Mexican Chicken Cheese Sauce: Every Reason To Indulge

• Spice Up Your Meal: Packed with bold Mexican-inspired seasonings like chili powder and cumin, this recipe delivers a flavor explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a zesty culinary adventure.
• Quick and Hassle-Free Cooking: Using just one skillet, this recipe minimizes cleanup and reduces cooking steps, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complicated techniques.
• Creamy Comfort Meets Zest: The luxurious cheese sauce combines rich heavy cream and sharp cheddar, creating a velvety texture that perfectly complements the spice-rubbed chicken for a satisfying, indulgent experience.
• Versatile Dinner Solution: Adaptable for various occasions like weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or family meals, this dish appeals to both adults and kids who love cheesy, flavorful proteins.

Ingredients Needed For Saucy Mexican Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that serves as the base for this Mexican-inspired dish.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: A robust combination of spices that adds depth and authentic Mexican flavor to the chicken.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking surface and adds a subtle richness to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base for the cheese sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds a luxurious and creamy texture to the sauce.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Delivers a sharp and melty cheese component that defines the sauce.
• Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to create a smooth and consistent sauce.
• Water: Helps dissolve the cornstarch for sauce thickening.

• Fresh Cilantro: Adds a bright, fresh herb flavor and visual appeal to the finished dish.

Chicken Cheese Sauce Made Easy

Step 1: Sprinkle Flavor Explosion

Grab your chicken breasts and shower them with a zesty blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Make sure every inch of the chicken gets coated with these mouthwatering spices.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Fire up a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the hot pan.

Let it cook and develop a beautiful golden-brown crust for 6-8 minutes on each side.

Once the chicken is completely cooked through, transfer it to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Magic

Using the same skillet, lower the heat to medium.

Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer gently.

• Heavy cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Keep stirring until the sauce becomes silky smooth and irresistible.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

To give your sauce some extra body, mix cornstarch with a splash of water.

Pour this mixture into the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Step 5: Reunite and Finish

Carefully return the cooked chicken to the skillet.

Lovingly spoon the dreamy cheese sauce over each piece.

Let everything mingle and warm through for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a burst of color and flavor.

Serve this incredible Mexican chicken dish piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Top Tips For Mexican Chicken Perfection

• Adjust the chili powder quantity to match your heat tolerance, ensuring a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Use room temperature cheese for smoother, lump-free sauce and shred it fresh for maximum melting potential.
• Replace chicken with turkey or fish for a versatile dish that works with different protein preferences.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature (165°F) for perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time.
• Skip cornstarch and use xanthan gum for thickening if following a ketogenic or low-carbohydrate diet.

Creative Swaps For Mexican Chicken Dinners

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream and cheddar cheese with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a creamy, vegan-friendly sauce.
• Low-Carb Swap: Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice, and replace cornstarch with xanthan gum for thickening.
• Spicy Kick Version: Add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers to the cheese sauce for an extra heat boost.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap chili powder with za'atar seasoning and top with crumbled feta cheese for a Middle Eastern-inspired variation.

Serving Up Chicken With Cheese Sauce

• Fresh Fiesta Plating: Serve this sizzling chicken over fluffy Mexican rice or warm tortillas for a complete meal that bursts with flavor.
• Zesty Side Companions: Pair with black beans, corn salsa, or a crisp green salad to balance the rich cheese sauce and add vibrant textures.
• Topping Extravaganza: Sprinkle additional chopped cilantro, diced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream on top to enhance the dish's bold Mexican-inspired profile.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining chicken and sauce into enchiladas, quesadillas, or a hearty burrito filling for a delicious next-day meal.

Storing Leftover Chicken Cheese Casserole

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the cheese sauce separate to prevent sogginess and maintain texture.
• Wrap chicken and sauce individually in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, drizzle with reserved cheese sauce. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes, adding extra cheese sauce if needed to keep moist.

FAQs

• What are the key spices for this Mexican chicken recipe?

Chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper create a bold, authentic flavor profile that gives the chicken a rich, spicy taste.

• Can I use a different type of cheese for the sauce?

Absolutely! While cheddar works great, you can substitute with monterey jack, pepper jack, or Mexican blend cheese for a similar creamy texture and flavor.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level. If you prefer more spice, you can increase the chili powder or add some red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be white throughout with no pink areas.

Smooth Mexican Chicken With Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

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

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Description

Sizzling Mexican chicken with cheese sauce blends zesty spices and creamy richness into one irresistible dish. Comfort meets culinary excitement on your plate, inviting you to savor each perfectly balanced, flavor-packed bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Blend aromatic spices of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a robust coating for the chicken.
2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high temperature, carefully searing chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes per side.
3. Reduce skillet heat to medium and pour chicken broth, allowing it to gently simmer while incorporating heavy cream and melting shredded cheddar cheese into a silky, luxurious sauce.
4. Enhance sauce consistency by whisking cornstarch with water, then stirring into the simmering mixture until it reaches a desirable thickness.
5. Nestle cooked chicken back into the skillet, generously draping it with the velvety cheese sauce and allowing flavors to meld for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Elevate the dish with a vibrant sprinkle of fresh cilantro and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Spice Up Flavor by toasting whole spices briefly before grinding them to intensify their aromatic profile and deepen the chicken’s seasoning.
• Prevent Cheese Sauce Separation by removing the skillet from direct heat when adding cheese and stirring gradually to maintain a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Create Lighter Version by substituting half-and-half for heavy cream and using reduced-fat cheddar cheese to decrease overall calorie and fat content.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation involves replacing cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch for thickening the sauce without compromising texture or taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg