One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Recipe
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.
- 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
