Description
Quick, cozy, and loaded with flavor, this Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce is the ultimate easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights. Juicy seasoned chicken is layered over fluffy Mexican rice and smothered in a velvety cheese sauce for a comforting meal that tastes like your favorite restaurant takeout. It’s perfect when you’re craving simple dinner ideas, quick breakfast-for-dinner nights, or just new food ideas that the whole family will love, and it fits right in with your collection of easy recipes, weeknight dinner ideas, and satisfying, cheesy comfort food.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup long grain white rice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup freshly grated Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce or 2 tablespoons diced green chilies optional
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them in a shallow dish or zip top bag. Add the olive oil, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings all over the chicken until evenly coated and let it marinate while you start the rice.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant.
3. Add the uncooked rice to the pan and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until some grains look lightly golden. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat and keep covered.
4. While the rice cooks, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium high heat. Add a light drizzle of oil if needed and place the seasoned chicken in the hot pan. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through to 165°F (74°C). Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to rest, then slice it into strips.
5. To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, to form a smooth paste.
6. Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens slightly and comes to a gentle simmer.
7. Turn the heat to low and add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses by handfuls, stirring until each addition is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce or green chilies if using. Keep the sauce over low heat so it stays warm and pourable.
8. Fluff the Mexican rice with a fork and divide it among four plates or shallow bowls. Top each portion with sliced chicken.
9. Spoon the warm cheese sauce generously over the chicken and rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
To keep the cheese sauce silky and smooth, grate your own cheese and melt it over low heat—adding pre-shredded cheese or boiling the sauce can make it grainy and clumpy.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with 1 cup rice
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 45
- Cholesterol: 150
Keywords: mexican chicken, cheese sauce, easy dinner, weeknight meal, chicken and rice, quick dinner, family dinner, creamy chicken, easy recipe, dinner ideas