Description
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe features tender, oven-baked chicken breasts seasoned with smoky chili powder and cumin, topped with a creamy, cheesy sauce made from cheddar, Monterey Jack, and green chiles. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight dinner, combining classic Mexican flavors with rich, melty cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour if needed)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup canned diced green chiles
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and season chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, then evenly season them with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to infuse them with Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Bake the chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir constantly for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish the cheese sauce: Lower the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack cheeses, and diced green chiles. Stir continuously until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Remove the baked chicken from the oven. Spoon the warm cheese sauce generously over each chicken breast. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning or stir in fresh jalapeños with the cheese sauce.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, beans, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Use full-fat milk for a richer cheese sauce, or substitute with a lower-fat milk if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
