Quick & Zesty Mexican Chicken With Cheese Sauce Recipe

Crafting a mouthwatering Mexican chicken with cheese sauce transports you straight to a vibrant culinary adventure.

Warm spices dance across tender meat, creating layers of rich, comforting flavors.

Creamy cheese blankets each succulent bite with irresistible goodness.

Authentic ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a meal that sparks joy at your dinner table.

Home cooks adore how simple techniques can deliver such incredible results.

Gathering around to share this delectable dish connects us through delicious memories.

Dive in and savor every delightful, cheesy moment!

Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Essentials

• Spice Up Your Meal: Packed with bold Mexican-inspired spices like paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder, this dish delivers a flavor explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a zesty culinary adventure.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Cook everything in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complicated kitchen gymnastics.
• Creamy Cheese Comfort: The luxurious cheese sauce creates a rich, velvety coating that turns simple chicken into a restaurant-worthy entrée, guaranteeing smiles around the dinner table.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe rescues dinner when time is tight, offering a gourmet-tasting meal that feels like a special treat but requires minimal preparation.

Ingredients for Mexican Chicken Cheese Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, boneless meat that serves as the protein base for this Mexican-inspired dish.
• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth cooking medium for searing the chicken.

• Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder, Salt, Pepper: A flavorful combination that adds depth and Mexican-style seasoning to the chicken.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Create a rich, creamy liquid base for the cheese sauce.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp, melty component that brings the sauce together with a classic cheesy flavor.

• Fresh Cilantro: Provides a bright, fresh finish to the dish with its distinctive herbal taste.

How to Cook Mexican Chicken Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Warm Up the Pan

Drizzle olive oil into a large skillet and set the heat to medium, allowing the pan to get nice and hot.

Step 2: Spice Up the Chicken

• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage the spices into the chicken to ensure full flavor coverage.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken to Perfection

Slide the seasoned chicken into the sizzling skillet. Let it dance in the pan for 6-8 minutes on each side until it turns a beautiful golden brown and cooks completely through.

Transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Create a Creamy Base

Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the same skillet where the chicken was cooked.

Let the liquid simmer and mingle for about 5 minutes, creating a rich, velvety foundation.

Step 5: Melt the Cheese Goodness

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese into the simmering liquid.

Stir gently until the cheese melts completely, transforming into a smooth, luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.

Lovingly spoon the cheese sauce over each piece, letting them bathe in cheesy deliciousness for 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

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

Serve the chicken immediately while the cheese sauce is warm and inviting.

Tips for Mexican Chicken Cheese Sauce

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easier preparation.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili powder to suit personal taste preferences.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure better spice adherence and crispier exterior.
• Choose high-quality sharp cheddar cheese for a more robust and creamy sauce.
• Let chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain moisture and enhance flavor distribution.

Variations on Mexican Chicken Cheese Sauce

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream and cheddar cheese with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that's creamy and flavorful.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced jalapeños and swap chili powder for chipotle powder to create a fiery, intense chicken dish with extra kick.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Use cauliflower cream instead of heavy cream and select high-fat cheese like Monterey Jack to maintain ketogenic diet requirements while keeping the recipe rich and satisfying.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace paprika and chili powder with oregano, thyme, and rosemary, then use feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation of the original recipe.

Serving Ideas for Mexican Chicken Cheese Sauce

• Fiesta Plate Presentation: Arrange chicken on a colorful Mexican-inspired platter with vibrant bell peppers and lime wedges for a festive look.
• Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Style: Shred the chicken, roll inside soft tortillas, top with the cheese sauce, and bake for a delightful enchilada transformation.
• Family-Style Sharing Platter: Slice chicken, spread on a large wooden board with extra cheese sauce in a separate bowl, allowing everyone to create their perfect bite.
• Nutrition-Packed Side Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or alongside roasted vegetables to add extra nutrients and balance the rich cheese sauce.

FAQs

• What spices give this chicken its Mexican flavor?

The combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder creates a warm, authentic Mexican-style seasoning that brings depth and complexity to the chicken.

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

While cheddar works best, you can substitute with Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a similar creamy and slightly spicy cheese sauce that complements the chicken perfectly.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate spice level from the chili powder. If you prefer more heat, you can increase the chili powder or add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra kick.

Quick Mexican Chicken With Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Mexican chicken with cheese sauce delivers a symphony of bold flavors from traditional Mexican cuisine. Melted cheese and tender chicken create a delightful meal that will satisfy your dinner cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet at medium temperature until shimmering.
2. Blend aromatic spices thoroughly onto chicken breasts, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Sear chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, developing a rich golden crust and confirming internal doneness through slight browning.
4. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining warmth.
5. Utilize the same skillet to create a creamy base by combining savory chicken broth and luxurious heavy cream, allowing mixture to gently bubble for 5 minutes.
6. Gradually incorporate shredded cheddar, stirring continuously until cheese melts into a silky, uniform sauce.
7. Nestle cooked chicken back into the skillet, lavishly coating each piece with the velvety cheese mixture.
8. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry flavors and reheat chicken.
9. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the surface for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
10. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and inviting.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder for mild or extra hot preferences.
• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick and even cooking.
• Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother, more flavorful sauce compared to pre-packaged options.
• Reduce carbohydrates by serving over cauliflower rice or with a side salad instead of traditional rice.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 495 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg