Description
Mexican chicken with cheese sauce offers a delightful culinary journey through authentic flavors. Creamy sauce and tender chicken combine to create a mouthwatering meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breasts
- 2 cups (226 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (75 g) diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup (4 g) chopped cilantro
- 2 sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Blend chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a fragrant spice mixture for chicken breasts.
- Skillet Heating: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating an ideal cooking surface with even temperature distribution.
- Chicken Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with the prepared spice blend, pressing gently to ensure maximum flavor adherence.
- Chicken Cooking: Sear chicken in the hot skillet, developing a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking, about 6-9 minutes per side until reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sauce Foundation: Without cleaning the skillet, reduce heat and create a smooth roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until perfectly blended.
- Sauce Development: Gradually incorporate whole milk, stirring continuously to create a silky, lump-free base, then introduce shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green chiles.
- Final Preparation: Simmer sauce until smooth and heated through, adjusting seasoning as needed, then pour generously over cooked chicken.
- Garnishing: Embellish with freshly chopped cilantro, thinly sliced jalapeños, and diced ripe tomatoes to enhance visual appeal and flavor profile.
Notes
- Spice Mastery: Press seasonings firmly into chicken to ensure maximum flavor penetration and even coating.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches 165°F, preventing undercooking while maintaining juiciness.
- Roux Technique: Whisk flour and butter continuously to create a smooth base for the cheese sauce, preventing any unwelcome lumps.
- Cheese Sauce Secrets: Reduce heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve a silky, creamy texture that clings perfectly to the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 132 mg