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Mexican Chicken with Cheesy Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 91 reviews

This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe features tender, seasoned chicken breasts baked to perfection and topped with a creamy, flavorful cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal, it pairs beautifully with Mexican rice or your choice of grain and is garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro for a burst of freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 ½ lbs. thin sliced, skinless and boneless chicken breasts (about 6 breasts)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1½ tsps paprika
  • 1½ tsps ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil (for drizzling)

Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp paprika

Garnish

  • Fresh chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking pan with parchment paper or foil to prepare for the chicken.
  2. Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoning blend.
  3. Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over each piece and rub it evenly on both sides.
  4. Season Chicken: Sprinkle the mixed seasonings evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, rubbing to coat thoroughly.
  5. Bake Chicken: Bake the seasoned chicken in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) ensuring juices run clear and chicken is cooked through.
  6. Make Cheese Sauce – Melt Butter: While the chicken bakes, melt butter over medium heat in a small saucepan.
  7. Create Roux: Once the butter has melted, add the flour and whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble but is not browned.
  8. Add Milk: Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps, creating a smooth sauce base.
  9. Add Cheese: Add the shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese to the sauce and whisk constantly until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
  10. Season Sauce: Stir in the cayenne pepper and paprika, mixing until the flavors are well combined.
  11. Serve: Arrange the baked chicken breasts over your choice of grain, such as Mexican rice, quinoa, or rice pilaf.
  12. Drizzle Sauce: Pour the warm cheese sauce generously over the chicken breasts.
  13. Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or cilantro on top if desired, then serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful meal.

Notes

  • For a complete meal, serve this chicken with authentic Mexican rice. You can find a delicious recipe here.
  • Using freshly shredded cheese from a block enhances the flavor and meltability of the cheese sauce compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level of the cheese sauce.
  • This recipe works well with other white meats like turkey breast if you prefer a variation.

Keywords: Mexican chicken, baked chicken, cheese sauce, cheddar sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, spicy chicken, Mexican cuisine

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/mexican-chicken-with-cheesy-sauce-recipe/