Description
Jalapeno Chicken becomes the ultimate weeknight savior when hunger strikes and time runs short. This zesty skillet sensation delivers a spicy, cheesy embrace that makes dinner feel like a delicious adventure without complicated cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 jalapenos, deseeded and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ white onion, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Extra sliced jalapenos for garnish
Instructions
- Blend 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a small bowl. Pat your 4 chicken breasts dry and thoroughly coat them with the spice mixture.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside temporarily.
- Reduce heat and melt 1 tbsp butter in the same skillet. Add ½ finely chopped white onion, 2 diced jalapenos, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until vegetables soften and become aromatic.
- Pour ¼ cup heavy cream and ⅓ cup chicken broth into the skillet. Stir in 2 oz cream cheese, whisking until the sauce becomes smooth and no lumps remain.
- Blend ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and the mixture thickens.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top. Cover and simmer on low heat for 6–8 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Garnish with extra sliced jalapenos before serving hot with your preferred side dish.
Notes
- Select fresh jalapeños for the best heat and flavor, removing seeds if you prefer a milder dish.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and a perfect golden-brown chicken crust.
- Shred the cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded for a smoother, more consistent melt.
- For a lower-carb version, replace the flour coating with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to reduce carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 379 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 391 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 111 mg