Description
Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce: A 30-minute, bold and creamy weeknight dinner featuring juicy chicken smothered in a rich queso-style cheese sauce. Perfect pairs with rice, tortillas, or veggies for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- Cheese sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 can Rotel (drained)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking until smooth and thickened.
- Add cheddar, mozzarella, Rotel, garlic powder, salt, and chili flakes. Stir until creamy and fully melted.
- Return chicken to the skillet and spoon cheese sauce over the top.
- Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, simmer an extra minute after adding cheese.
- Use mild or hot Rotel to adjust the heat level.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- To make gluten-free, substitute gluten-free flour or cornstarch in the roux.
- Leftovers refrigerate well for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (4 servings)
- Calories: Not specified
- Sugar: Not specified
- Sodium: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Saturated Fat: Not specified
- Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
- Trans Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Fiber: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
- Cholesterol: Not specified
Keywords: Mexican chicken, cheese sauce, 30-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, Rotel, creamy chicken, queso sauce, Mexican-inspired chicken