Description
This Creamy Jalapeño Chicken Skillet is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, spicy jalapeño cream sauce with cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that packs a punch of heat and creaminess with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 sliced jalapeños (adjust for heat preference)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sliced jalapeños. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and the jalapeños have released their flavor. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour chicken broth into the skillet and bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing it into the sauce until it is completely melted and smooth, creating a creamy and rich jalapeño sauce.
- Combine and garnish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy jalapeño sauce over them to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top as a garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the number of jalapeños according to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less creamy.
- Use a thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Serve with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cheddar and light cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: creamy jalapeño chicken, spicy chicken skillet, easy chicken dinner, creamy chicken recipe, jalapeño cream sauce
