Description

This One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a creamy, spicy jalapeño cheese sauce baked to perfection in a single skillet. The dish offers a balanced blend of smoky paprika, cumin, and garlic flavors topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro for a delicious and comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

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

Sauce

1/2 cup jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or 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

Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and cheese sauce.
Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 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 nicely browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
Prepare the Jalapeño Cheese Sauce: Lower heat to medium in the same skillet, add butter, and melt it. Stir in minced garlic and sliced jalapeños, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then add cream cheese and sour cream, stirring continually until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet with the sauce and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and is creamy. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, coating them with the sauce.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce, ensuring full coverage for melting.
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 the skillet from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side for added brightness and flavor.

Notes

For milder flavor, use fresh jalapeños and remove the seeds before slicing.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish before adding cheese and baking.
Substitute chicken broth with water in a pinch, but broth enhances the sauce’s flavor.
For extra spice, add more jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
Serve with rice, cauliflower rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken, jalapeno, cheesy, one pan, dinner, baked chicken, spicy, easy recipe