Name: Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into thin cutlets or pounded to even thickness); 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; Pinch of salt and pepper; 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

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If you love vibrant flavors and creamy, cheesy goodness, this Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe is about to become your new obsession! Imagine juicy, spice-rubbed chicken cutlets smothered in a luxuriously smooth, homemade cheese sauce—every bite is a fiesta of textures and flavors. Whether you’re making a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing guests, this dish delivers cheesy comfort and a zesty kick, all in under 30 minutes. Get ready for an irresistible meal that makes everyone ask for seconds!

Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe lies in its simple, everyday ingredients, each one bringing something special to the table. These essentials work together for bold flavor, color, and gooey, irresistible texture. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a handy kitchen tip for each:

Olive oil: Helps get that beautiful golden sear on your chicken and adds subtle flavor.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Thin cutlets or evenly pounded breasts cook quickly and stay juicy.
Chili powder: Brings signature Mexican warmth and just the right touch of spice.
Cumin: Earthy and aromatic, cumin adds depth to both the chicken and cheese sauce.
Garlic powder: A sprinkle wakes up all the savory flavors in the dish.
Paprika: For gentle smokiness and gorgeous color on your chicken.
Salt and black pepper: Classic essentials to balance and enhance every ingredient.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Offers sharp meltiness both atop and within the sauce.
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Adds creamy smoothness that pulls the cheese sauce together.
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional): For a spark of fresh color and bold, herby finish.
Unsalted butter: Forms the rich roux base for a luscious, homemade cheese sauce.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the sauce—swap for gluten-free flour for a GF-friendly meal.
Whole milk: Makes the cheese sauce wonderfully creamy.
Pinch of salt and pepper (for sauce): Essential for seasoning every creamy spoonful.
Extra cumin and chili powder (for sauce): Layers more authentic Mexican flavor into the sauce itself.

How to Make Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Start by laying out your chicken cutlets and sprinkling them liberally with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings in so every piece is coated with that bold, aromatic mix. This not only flavors the chicken but also gives it a gorgeous color that pops once cooked.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken cutlets in a single layer and let them sear, resisting the urge to move them around. Cook each side for 5–6 minutes until golden, juicy, and cooked through. When finished, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm—you want all those flavorful juices sealed in!

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute to get rid of the raw taste—this will become your rich, thickening roux. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly, and continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Reduce the heat, then stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until everything is velvety and smooth. A pinch of salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder at this stage makes your cheese sauce extra irresistible!

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Now comes the fun part: pour that bubbling cheese sauce straight over your perfectly cooked chicken. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor and color. Serve immediately so the cheese sauce stays warm and silky—trust me, there won’t be leftovers!

How to Serve Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

Garnishing isn’t just about prettying things up—fresh cilantro gives a vibrant, herbaceous lift that cuts through the richness of the cheese. If you want a little extra zing, try a sprinkle of sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, or even a few jalapeño rounds on top.

Side Dishes

The Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe pairs like a dream with sides that soak up all the cheesy, spicy goodness. Think fluffy Mexican rice, creamy black beans, or roasted veggies like bell peppers and zucchini. Warm tortillas or cornbread on the side make it a Tex-Mex feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a family-style spread, slice up the chicken and fan it over a platter, drenching generously with cheese sauce. Or, plate each cutlet individually for a dinner-party-worthy presentation. You can even tuck the chicken and cheese sauce into soft taco shells for messy, craveworthy handhelds—always a hit with the kids!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you actually have leftovers (which is rare!), let the chicken cool and store it in an airtight container with the cheese sauce spooned on top. It keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, making for a craveworthy lunch or quick dinner the next day.

Freezing

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken separately from the cheese sauce. Wrap the chicken well to prevent freezer burn, and store the sauce in a zip-top bag or freezer-friendly container. Thaw both overnight in the fridge for freshest flavor when ready to serve.

Reheating

To revive your Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe, gently reheat the chicken in the oven or microwave until warmed through. Reheat the cheese sauce over low heat on the stovetop, whisking in a splash of milk to smooth out any separation, then pour over your chicken and enjoy all over again!

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, so they work wonderfully in the Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe. Just trim excess fat and adjust the cooking time as needed for thicker pieces.

Can I make the cheese sauce ahead of time?

Yes! Feel free to make the cheese sauce a day ahead. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge, then gently reheat with a splash of milk until smooth when you’re ready to pour over your chicken.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is easily made gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Everything else in the Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe is naturally gluten-free.

How spicy is the cheese sauce?

The cheese sauce has a warm, gentle kick from chili powder and cumin, but it isn’t overly spicy. If you prefer more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or some diced green chiles to the sauce as it melts.

Can I add vegetables to the skillet?

Definitely! Sauté sliced bell peppers, onions, or zucchini in the same skillet after cooking the chicken. They’ll soak up the remaining spices and pair perfectly under a blanket of cheese sauce.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a show-stopping dinner that’s as easy and comforting as it is packed with flavor, give this Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe a try. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe thirds). Dive in and turn any night into a cheesy celebration!

Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich and flavorful Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce for a satisfying meal that’s bursting with Tex-Mex goodness. Tender chicken cutlets seasoned with a blend of spices and topped with a creamy, cheesy sauce – it’s a dish that will become a family favorite in no time!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into thin cutlets or pounded to even thickness)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

For the Cheese Sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Pinch of salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder

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Instructions

Season the chicken: Season chicken cutlets with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Keep warm.
Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk, stir until thickened. Mix in cheeses, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
Serve: Pour cheese sauce over chicken, garnish with cilantro, and serve hot.