Go Back

Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce

A bold, creamy, and comforting skillet meal featuring chicken in a silky cheese sauce, perfect for a quick dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings
Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 4 pieces Chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced or pounded Thin sliced for quick cooking
  • 1 teaspoon Salt To taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper To taste
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 pinch Smoked paprika For warmth
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil or avocado oil For searing

For the Sauce

  • 1 cup Chicken broth For the sauce base
  • 1/2 cup Milk or half and half For creaminess
  • 4 ounces Cream cheese To thicken and smooth the sauce
  • 2 cups Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack and cheddar mix) For a creamy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh lime juice For brightness
  • 1 can Canned diced green chiles (optional)

For Serving

  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro or green onions For garnish
  • 4 pieces Tortillas Optional serving suggestion

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Cooking

  • Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet in a single layer, searing until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
  • Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  • Lower the heat, add more oil if needed, then pour in chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits.
  • Stir in milk or half and half and bring to a gentle simmer, adding cream cheese in small pieces until smooth.
  • Slowly whisk in shredded cheeses until melted and smooth, adding in diced green chiles if desired.
  • Finish with a squeeze of lime, taste, and adjust seasonings as necessary.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top, letting it sit for a minute.

Serving

  • Garnish with cilantro or green onions and serve with tortillas, rice, or roasted veggies.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded to avoid graininess. Adjust spice levels based on preference.
Keyword Cheese Sauce, Comfort Food, Mexican Chicken, Quick Dinner, Skillet Meal