Description
Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce: Creamy, bold, and flavor-packed dinner featuring juicy chicken smothered in a silky southwestern cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (or half-and-half for creamier texture)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles (optional)
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
- Salt, to taste
Toppings (optional):
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add shredded cheeses, stirring until melted and creamy. Stir in diced green chiles and additional spices for extra flavor.
- Return chicken to the skillet and spoon cheese sauce over the top. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro, jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime juice. Serve over rice, with tortilla chips, or alongside roasted veggies.
Notes
- For creamier sauce, use half-and-half or heavy cream.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Serve with rice or warm tortillas for a complete meal.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 480–520 per serving
- Sugar: About 5–6 g
- Sodium: About 500–700 mg
- Fat: Approximately 28–40 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 14–22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 12–20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 15–20 g
- Fiber: 0–1 g
- Protein: Approximately 40–50 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 150–200 mg
Keywords: Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce, creamy cheese sauce, southwestern chicken, 40 minute dinner, skillet chicken dinner