Description
Spicy Cajun lime chicken delivers a zesty southern explosion of flavor that dances across your palate. Juicy chicken marinated in bold spices and tangy lime creates a memorable meal you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Spices:
- 3 teaspoons (1 ½ + 1 ½) Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
Liquid and Dairy Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken broth
- ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lime juice
Additional Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons (90 ml) flour
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 10 ounces (280 grams) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (juice reserved)
- ¾ cup (85 grams) cheddar jack cheese (shredded)
Garnish:
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare a workstation by draining diced tomatoes and reserving their liquid. Whisk sauce components together in a measuring cup, setting aside for later use.
- Transform chicken breasts by slicing horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Protect with plastic wrap and gently tenderize to uniform ½-inch thickness. Season generously with Cajun spice blend and dust lightly with flour.
- Heat a heavy skillet to medium-high temperature (approximately 375°F). Sear chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior. Transfer to a holding plate.
- Utilize the same skillet, deglaze with reserved tomato liquid, scraping accumulated flavor fragments. Introduce butter and minced garlic, sautéing briefly. Incorporate flour, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually stream prepared sauce mixture into the skillet, maintaining constant whisking. Elevate heat to initiate boiling, then reduce to gentle simmer for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens substantially.
- Lower heat, incrementally fold cheese into sauce until completely melted and smooth. Brighten flavor profile by stirring in fresh lime juice.
- Return seared chicken to skillet, coating thoroughly with sauce. Simmer for an additional 4 minutes to meld flavors. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh cilantro before serving immediately.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken by slicing and pounding to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for better heat distribution and creating a delicious golden-brown crust on the chicken.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by using mild or spicy blends to suit personal heat preferences.
- For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour to maintain sauce thickness and coating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 655 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg