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
Scale
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.
