Description
Sizzling Mexican chicken drowns in a creamy, rich cheese sauce that promises pure comfort and flavor. Spicy, melted goodness brings delightful warmth to your plate, delivering an authentic culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the chicken to become tender and flavorful.
- Combine chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, forming a robust seasoning blend for the chicken breasts.
- Thoroughly pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning adherence and even cooking.
- Generously coat each chicken breast with the spice mixture, massaging the seasonings into the meat to maximize flavor penetration.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, preparing to sear the chicken to lock in its juices.
- Sear the seasoned chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust develops, creating a delectable exterior.
- Mince the garlic cloves finely, releasing their aromatic essence for the upcoming sauce preparation.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the pan to enhance the sauce’s depth.
- Stir in ground cumin, allowing the spice to bloom and infuse the creamy sauce with warm, earthy undertones.
- Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese blend over the chicken, creating a luxurious blanket of melting goodness.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute and the cheese to set.
- Drizzle fresh lime juice over the chicken, adding a bright, citrusy note to cut through the richness of the cheese sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, providing a final burst of color and herbaceous flavor to the dish.
- Serve immediately, presenting a perfectly cooked Mexican-inspired chicken with a velvety cheese sauce.
Notes
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, well-adhered spices that create a flavorful exterior.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exact 165°F internal temperature without overcooking.
- Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lower-fat and dairy-free alternatives that maintain creamy sauce consistency.
- Fresh lime juice and cilantro are essential for cutting through the rich cheese sauce, balancing the overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg