Description
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce combines juicy chicken breasts with a creamy, cheesy goodness. Perfect for quick dinners, it’s rich in flavor and simple to prepare, making it a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with 1 teaspoon each of chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
- 2 tablespoons of flour with 2 tablespoons of butter to create a roux
- gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk
- incorporating 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 cup of extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded by hand
Instructions
- Coat chicken breasts evenly with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let rest to meld flavors.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a small amount of oil, sear chicken until golden on both sides and cooked through. Let the chicken rest to redistribute juices.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add flour gradually while whisking until smooth to form a roux. Cook until lightly golden with a nutty aroma.
- Gradually whisk in milk, avoiding lumps, until thickened; add salt, cayenne, and paprika, stirring until blended for a creamy sauce.
- Remove from heat and slowly mix in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted, creating a rich cheese sauce.
- Plate chicken and pour cheese sauce generously over, garnishing with parsley or cilantro.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate chicken in spices for 30 minutes before cooking.
Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother sauce.
Adjust spice levels by modifying cayenne and crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg