Description
Easy Baked Queso Chicken is a flavorful and cheesy baked chicken dish featuring marinated and seared chicken breasts topped with a savory queso cheese sauce and sautéed vegetables. This recipe combines a medley of spices, creamy cheese, and fresh garnishes for a satisfying and simple dinner option perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp chili seasoning
For the Sauce and Vegetables:
- 1 tbsp olive oil (preferably Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
- 2 cups cheese sauce (Tostitos Medium Con Queso recommended)
- 1 medium onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium tomato, finely diced
For the Garnish:
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Optional:
- 1 diced jalapeño (for extra heat)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F and adjust the oven rack to the top shelf. In a large Ziploc bag, combine the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag after pressing out the air and massage the seasonings around the chicken to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor infusion.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes). Add the marinated chicken breasts and sear each side until browned, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the diced onion, tomato, and optional diced jalapeño. Sauté until the vegetables soften, stirring often, about 2-3 minutes to prevent burning.
- Assemble and Bake: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Top each piece with the sautéed vegetable mixture. Evenly spoon the 2 cups of queso cheese sauce over the chicken. If you do not have a cast-iron skillet, transfer everything to a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Bake on the upper rack of the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the queso sauce is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with finely chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot, ideally alongside cilantro lime rice, crusty bread, or pasta for a complete meal. Enjoy the rich, cheesy flavors!
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- You can adjust the heat by adding or omitting the diced jalapeño.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a 9×13-inch casserole dish works well for baking.
- Ensure the chicken cooks to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Pair this dish with cilantro lime rice or a simple salad for a well-rounded meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: baked queso chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, Mexican chicken, baked chicken breasts, queso chicken bake
