Description
Savory Mexican chicken with cheese sauce brings classic comfort to dinner tables across North America. Creamy white queso blends perfectly with tender spiced chicken, creating a quick and satisfying meal for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (warm)
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend (or cheddar, shredded)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel, optional)
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapenos (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Blend chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create a robust seasoning mix.
- Chicken Seasoning: Generously coat chicken breasts with the prepared spice blend, massaging thoroughly to ensure complete and even coverage.
- Skillet Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pan, allowing them to develop a rich, golden-brown crust.
- Cooking Process: Sizzle the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, carefully monitoring to achieve a perfect internal temperature of 165°F, which guarantees both safety and optimal flavor.
- Resting Phase: Remove chicken from heat and let it rest momentarily, allowing internal juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness and succulence.
Notes
- Spice Balance Mastery: Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually increasing for precise flavor control.
- Chicken Cooking Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee exact 165°F internal temperature, preventing dryness while ensuring food safety.
- Resting Technique Essential: Allow chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking, which helps retain internal moisture and develops deeper flavor profiles.
- Oil Temperature Optimization: Ensure skillet is preheated to medium heat, creating ideal searing conditions for golden-brown exterior without burning spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg