Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe features tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked in a skillet and smothered with a rich, creamy cheese sauce infused with tomatoes, green chilies, and warming spices. Perfect served over rice or in tortillas, it’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that brings bold Mexican-inspired flavors to your table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1/4 cup diced green chilies (canned, optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly all over the chicken breasts to fully coat them with flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for approximately 6–7 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce – Melt Butter: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat to retain the chicken flavors in the pan.
- Add Flour to Form Roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute while stirring constantly to create a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Milk Gradually: Slowly whisk in the milk, continuing to stir the mixture until it thickens smoothly, this should take about 3–5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, green chilies (if using), paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return them to the skillet and stir to coat the chicken thoroughly with the cheese sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Mexican chicken with cheese sauce hot, over rice, in tortillas, or alongside your favorite side dishes. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful meal!
Notes
- You can adjust the spice levels by adding more or less chili powder and paprika according to your preference.
- For a spicier sauce, increase the amount of green chilies or use jalapeños instead.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the milk amount slightly or cook the sauce a bit longer to thicken more.
- This dish pairs well with Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- To keep the chicken moist, avoid overcooking and check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part before removing from heat.
Keywords: Mexican chicken, cheese sauce, skillet chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, easy Mexican chicken, spicy chicken, dinner recipe
