Description
Spicy Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce brings fiery southwestern flavors straight to your kitchen, blending traditional ingredients with irresistible zest. Creamy, melted cheese cascades over tender chicken, promising a delicious journey through Mexico’s culinary landscape that you’ll savor with every memorable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup diced green chilies
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish for the spiced chicken.
- Create a robust spice blend using chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to coat the chicken thoroughly.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, searing chicken breasts until they develop a golden-brown exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Carefully transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking dish, ensuring even placement.
- Craft a velvety cheese sauce by gently melting shredded cheese with heavy cream and green chilies in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
- Generously drench the chicken with the prepared cheese sauce, covering each piece completely.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the chicken reaches full doneness and the sauce becomes wonderfully bubbly.
- Add a final flourish of fresh cilantro just before serving, enhancing the dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and using mild or hot green chilies depending on heat preference.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lighter, lower-fat cheese sauce variation.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as an alternative for more juicy and flavorful meat option that stays tender during baking.
- Enhance dish with additional toppings like diced jalapeños, sliced avocado, or crumbled queso fresco for extra texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 527 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg