Description
Hearty Mexican chicken and potato delight warms hearts with layered flavors of tender meat and creamy potatoes. Spices blend perfectly, offering a soul-satisfying meal that connects you to traditional family recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken fillet, cut into pieces
- 1 ½ lbs (650 g) potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese (120 g)
- 4 cups chicken broth (1 liter)
- 2 cups milk (475 ml)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 to 3 celery sticks, chopped
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter (20 g)
- ½ tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- ½ tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 handful roughly chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Foundation: Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, creating a flavorful base for the chicken and potato medley.
- Vegetable Preparation: Add onions, carrots, and celery to the pot, sautéing until vegetables soften and develop a translucent appearance, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme, stirring to distribute herbs evenly and release their intense fragrance for 1-2 minutes.
- Protein Integration: Carefully place chicken pieces into the herb-infused vegetable mixture, searing until a golden-brown crust forms, locking in rich flavors.
- Thickening Process: Sprinkle flour over the ingredients, gently coating each element to create a smooth foundation for the upcoming liquid components.
- Liquid Incorporation: Gradually whisk milk into the pot, ensuring a silky, lump-free sauce develops while maintaining consistent stirring.
- Potato and Broth Fusion: Add cubed potatoes and chicken broth, scraping any caramelized bits from the pot’s bottom to maximize flavor depth.
- Simmering Stage: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes, enabling potatoes to become tender and absorb surrounding flavors.
- Cheese Infusion: Blend shredded cheddar cheese into the pot, stirring until completely melted and creating a luxuriously creamy consistency.
- Final Seasoning: Incorporate chopped parsley, salt, and pepper, tasting and adjusting seasonings to personal preference for a perfectly balanced dish.
Notes
- Herb Timing Matters: Add delicate herbs like rosemary and thyme later in cooking to preserve their vibrant flavors and prevent bitter undertones.
- Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk milk slowly and steadily to create a smooth, silky base without unwanted flour clumps that can ruin texture.
- Potato Tenderness Tip: Cut potatoes into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent softness throughout the dish.
- Cheese Melting Secret: Remove pot from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain a creamy, luxurious texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg