Description
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce is a flavorful, easy-to-make main dish featuring tender baked chicken breasts seasoned with traditional spices and topped with a creamy, cheesy sauce made from cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this Tex-Mex inspired recipe delivers a comforting combination of spicy and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 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
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles (optional)
- Chopped cilantro or jalapeños for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Season Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rub the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, then season all sides with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to infuse Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Bake Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked and juicy.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Milk and Cheese: Gradually whisk in the milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, then stir in the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack cheeses, and diced green chiles if using. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Serve: Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven. Spoon the warm cheese sauce generously over each chicken breast. Garnish with chopped cilantro or jalapeños for an extra layer of freshness or heat, then serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, black beans, or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and gently reheat it before serving to save time.
- For additional heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix or cheese sauce.
- Use gluten-free flour to keep the recipe gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with cheese sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
