Introduction

This one pan cheesy jalapeño chicken is a flavorful and easy dinner that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy, spicy cheese sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it’s packed with bold seasonings and just the right amount of heat from fresh or pickled jalapeños.

The image shows a close-up of a black cast iron skillet filled with nine pieces of cooked chicken breasts layered with melted yellow cheese on top. Each chicken piece is golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges. The cheese covers most of the chicken surfaces, with some pooling in between, creating a creamy texture. Scattered over the cheese are bright green jalapeño slices, some whole and some cut into rings, adding a fresh and spicy look. Small bits of green herbs are sprinkled lightly over the dish. The skillet rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled, depending on spice preference)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic and sliced jalapeños for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 5: Stir in the softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing until the sauce is smooth. Pour in the chicken broth and continue stirring until the sauce becomes creamy.
Step 6: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the cheese sauce. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce.
Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips & Variations

For milder heat, use pickled jalapeños or reduce the amount of fresh jalapeños.
Swap the cheddar for a Mexican cheese blend or Monterrey Jack for a different cheese flavor.
Serve with rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Use bone-in chicken breasts for extra juiciness, but increase baking time accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. To avoid drying out, cover the dish while reheating or add a splash of chicken broth.

How to Serve

The dish shows a black cast iron pan full of cooked chicken breasts, each piece topped with a smooth, creamy yellow cheese sauce that slightly melts and drips over the meat. Scattered on top and around the chicken are many bright green jalapeño slices, adding a fresh and spicy look. There are small green herbs sprinkled on the cheese sauce. The chicken pieces have a golden brown grilled texture visible beneath the cheese. The pan is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken breasts so they cook evenly and reach the right internal temperature. If using frozen chicken, thaw completely before cooking.

What can I substitute for cream cheese?

You can use Greek yogurt or mascarpone as a substitute for cream cheese, though it may slightly change the texture and flavor of the sauce.

One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 143 reviews

A flavorful One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with smoky spices, seared to perfection, and baked in a creamy, spicy jalapeño cheese sauce. This easy-to-make dish is topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges for a zesty finish.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese Sauce

1/2 cup jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter

Garnish and Serving

Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken later.
Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning mix evenly onto both sides of the chicken breasts to infuse flavor.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Jalapeño Cheese Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté minced garlic and sliced jalapeños for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add Chicken Broth: Pour chicken broth into the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the sauce.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce, preparing it for baking.
Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove skillet from the oven, garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side for an added fresh, citrusy flavor.

Notes

You can adjust the amount of jalapeños based on your preferred spice level or substitute with milder peppers.
Use an oven-safe skillet, such as cast iron, to avoid transferring the chicken to another dish before baking.
If you don’t have chicken broth, water can be used as a substitute though it will slightly reduce flavor depth.
For extra creaminess, allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing.
Check chicken for doneness using a meat thermometer to ensure it is safe to eat.

Keywords: cheesy jalapeño chicken, one pan chicken recipe, baked chicken breasts, spicy cheese sauce, easy dinner recipes