Description
This Creamy Jalapeño Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a rich, spicy sauce made with cream cheese, sour cream, and melted cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. With a blend of sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh jalapeños, this dish offers a satisfying balance of heat and creaminess, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs), seasoned with salt and pepper
Sauce
- 2-3 fresh jalapeños, diced (seeds removed for less heat if desired)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season and cook chicken: Season your chicken breasts or thighs evenly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook until golden brown on each side and fully cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add a little more oil or butter if necessary. Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeños. Sauté over medium-high heat until the mixture is soft and fragrant, allowing the flavors to develop.
- Create creamy sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the softened cream cheese and sour cream, blending them into the sautéed vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth to help loosen the sauce consistency. Stir constantly until the sauce is smooth. Then, add the shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and continue stirring until fully melted and well combined.
- Simmer with chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy jalapeño sauce. Allow the dish to simmer for a few minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors and the sauce thickens slightly before serving.
Notes
- For less heat, remove seeds and membranes from jalapeños before dicing.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and added protein.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or warm tortillas to complete the meal.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end to taste.
