If you’re looking for a dish that brings together comforting creaminess and bold Southwestern flavors, this Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe is an absolute must-try. Tender, well-seasoned chicken breasts get smothered in a luscious cheddar cheese sauce with a kick of green chiles, creating a harmonious blend of spicy, cheesy, and savory notes that’ll have your taste buds dancing. This recipe perfectly balances simplicity with vibrant flavor, making it a go-to weeknight favorite or a crowd-pleaser for gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential in crafting the rich and flavorful profile of this dish. Each one plays a key role: the spices give warmth and depth, the cheese sauce adds creaminess, and the green chiles inject a nice gentle heat and brightness.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The main protein, providing tender, juicy meat that absorbs all the amazing flavors.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Perfect for cooking the chicken to a golden brown without sticking.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder: Adds a smoky, mildly spicy touch that forms the backbone of the chicken seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon cumin: Brings an earthy warmth that is classic in Mexican-inspired dishes.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses subtle aromatic depth without overpowering the other spices.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Basic but crucial seasonings that elevate every ingredient.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Creates a rich base for the creamy cheese sauce.
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Acts as the thickening agent for the sauce, ensuring a silky texture.
- 1 cup milk: Adds creaminess and balances the spices in the sauce.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: The star of the sauce, melting into a velvety, flavorful topping.
- 1/4 cup chopped green chiles: Offers just the right amount of heat and a fresh, tangy kick.
- For garnish – chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes: Brightens the dish with fresh color and adds extra layers of flavor.
How to Make Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by generously seasoning your chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This spice blend is where the magic begins, infusing the chicken with classic, bold Mexican-inspired flavors that will shine through every bite.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your seasoned chicken breasts and cook until they develop a beautiful golden crust and are cooked through, about 5-7 minutes on each side. This step locks in the juiciness while building a nice texture contrast with the creamy sauce to come.
Step 3: Make the Roux
In the same skillet, reduce the heat and melt the butter. Once fully melted, whisk in the flour until the mixture becomes smooth and bubbling. This forms the roux, which will thicken the cheese sauce to the perfect consistency.
Step 4: Create the Cheese Sauce Base
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep whisking gently until the sauce thickens and has a creamy texture, signaling that it’s time to add the cheese.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Green Chiles
Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green chiles, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is silky smooth. These green chiles add a subtle, smoky heat and vibrant flavor that make the sauce irresistible.
Step 6: Season the Sauce
Taste your cheese sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. Balancing the seasoning here is key to bring out the full flavor of the dish without overpowering the delicate chicken.
Step 7: Plate and Serve
Place the cooked chicken breasts on plates or a serving dish, then ladle the cheesy green chile sauce generously over the top. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and diced tomatoes for that extra pop of brightness and color.
How to Serve Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing this dish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and diced tomatoes not only boosts its visual appeal but adds fresh, zesty notes that perfectly cut through the richness of the cheese sauce. If you like a bit more heat, add extra jalapeños or a squeeze of lime for a vibrant twist.
Side Dishes
This Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe pairs beautifully with simple sides like fluffy cilantro-lime rice, warm corn tortillas, or a crisp green salad. For hearty comfort, try roasted vegetables or smoky black beans—they complement the creamy sauce without competing for attention.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Turn this into a cheesy chicken taco filling or stuff it inside warm pita bread with fresh avocado slices and lettuce for an unexpected twist. Layer the chicken and sauce over a bed of crunchy tortilla chips for a quick and satisfying nacho-style plate that’s perfect for casual entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though they rarely last long), store the chicken and cheese sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents the chicken from becoming soggy and keeps the sauce’s texture smooth and fresh.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to save portions for later. Freeze the chicken and cheese sauce separately in freezer-safe containers or bags. When sealed properly, they’ll stay good for up to 2 months without losing flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen portions overnight in the fridge. Warm the chicken gently in a skillet or oven to retain moisture, and reheat the cheese sauce on the stove over low heat, stirring often until creamy again. Combine just before serving for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! While cheddar is classic here, feel free to try Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for a slightly different melt and flavor profile. Just keep the cheese mild enough so it melts smoothly in the sauce.
Are canned green chiles okay to use?
Yes, canned green chiles work wonderfully and save preparation time. Just drain them well to avoid thinning out the sauce, and adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written because of the all-purpose flour. However, you can substitute the flour with gluten-free flour blends or cornstarch to make the sauce thick and keep this recipe gluten-free.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While the focus is on the chicken, you can easily swap the chicken breasts for roasted vegetables like zucchini or portobello mushrooms and follow the same cheese sauce steps for a delicious vegetarian option.
How spicy is this dish?
This Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe has a mild to moderate spice level, thanks to the green chiles and chili powder. You can easily adjust the heat by adding more jalapeños or choosing milder chiles depending on your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe has quickly become one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Its ease, rich flavors, and comforting textures make it a fantastic addition to your weeknight lineup or a special dish to impress friends and family. Give it a try—you’ll likely find yourself coming back to it again and again!
Print
Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Green Chiles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe features tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to perfection and topped with a creamy, flavorful cheddar cheese sauce infused with green chiles. Garnished with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and diced tomatoes, this dish offers a perfect balance of spice and creaminess, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green chiles
Garnish
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken breasts evenly with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to infuse them with authentic Mexican flavors.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet, cooking them until they are browned on both sides and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Make roux: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a smooth roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add milk: Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency, which will take about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate cheese and chiles: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green chiles into the thickened sauce. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Season sauce: Taste the cheese sauce and add salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the cooked chicken breasts and generously pour the cheesy green chile sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and diced tomatoes for freshness and extra heat.
Notes
- For extra spicy flavor, add more jalapeños or substitute green chiles with hotter varieties.
- Use full-fat milk for a richer, creamier cheese sauce.
- Chicken breasts can be brined for 15 minutes beforehand to ensure they stay juicy during cooking.
- This dish pairs well with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple side salad.
