Description
Sizzling spicy grilled chicken with homemade cheddar sauce brings fire and flavor to your dinner table. Melted cheese and zesty spices create a mouthwatering combination that will satisfy cravings and elevate your meal to restaurant-quality deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Spices:
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Cheddar Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Craft a zesty spice blend by combining chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
- Heat a grill pan to medium-high temperature, creating distinct grill marks and ensuring chicken reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
- Allow grilled chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and maintain moisture.
- In a medium saucepot, melt butter over medium heat until fully liquefied and slightly bubbling.
- Incorporate flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes frothy and develops a light golden color.
- Slowly stream milk into the butter-flour mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a smooth base.
- Maintain gentle heat, warming the sauce until it’s hot enough to melt cheese without reaching a boiling point.
- Gradually add cheese, stirring until the sauce transforms into a creamy, uniform consistency.
- Enhance the sauce with a touch of paprika and cayenne, adjusting salt to taste for a balanced flavor profile.
- Drizzle the warm, velvety cheese sauce directly over the spice-crusted grilled chicken before serving.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes and cayenne to match personal heat tolerance.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer for precise internal temperature checking.
- Prevent cheese sauce from breaking by maintaining low heat and whisking continuously during cheese incorporation.
- Substitute chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian adaptation, keeping spice blend identical for flavor consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg