The Zestiest Mexican Chicken & Creamy Cheddar Sauce Recipe

Mouthwatering Mexican chicken tantalizes taste buds with its irresistible blend of robust flavors and creamy textures.

Culinary enthusiasts adore this dish for its perfect balance of spice and comfort.

Sizzling proteins nestled beneath a rich, velvety sauce create an instant appetite.

Bold seasonings dance across tender meat, promising a delightful dining experience.

Hearty ingredients combine to refine an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Home cooks appreciate how simple techniques yield such spectacular results.

Warm and satisfying, this recipe delivers a crowd-pleasing dinner that sparks conversation and smiles.

Spice Up Your Dinner with Mexican Chicken and Cheddar Sauce

• Spice Up Your Plate: Dive into a flavor explosion with perfectly seasoned chicken featuring a bold blend of chili, garlic, and cumin that transforms ordinary poultry into a Mexican-inspired masterpiece.
• Creamy Cheese Comfort: Experience the luxurious texture of a velvety cheddar sauce that clings to every bite, creating a rich and indulgent coating that elevates the entire dish with its smooth, melted goodness.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Win: Conquer dinner in less than 45 minutes with a recipe that requires minimal prep, simple ingredients, and foolproof cooking techniques that even novice home cooks can master with confidence.

Essential Ingredients for Mexican Chicken in Cheddar Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless cuts, lean and tender, perfect for absorbing Mexican-inspired spices.

• Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Dried Oregano, Paprika, Ground Cumin, Salt, Pepper: Combination of spices that create a robust and authentic Mexican flavor profile, providing depth and warmth to the chicken.

• Flour, Butter: Essential for creating a smooth roux base for the creamy sauce.
• Milk: Provides liquid and creamy texture for the sauce.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the cheese sauce.
• Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Fresh, high-quality cheese that melts smoothly and delivers rich, tangy flavor to the sauce, best when hand-shredded for optimal melting.

Cooking Mexican Chicken in a Luscious Cheddar Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Spice Blend

• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Ground cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper

Combine all spices thoroughly in a small mixing bowl.

Step 2: Season Chicken

Coat chicken breasts completely with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring even coverage on both sides.

Step 3: Grill Chicken

Heat grill pan over medium-high temperature.

Place seasoned chicken breasts on the pan.

Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Allow chicken to rest after cooking.

Step 4: Create Cheese Sauce Base

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Whisk flour into melted butter.

Cook until mixture becomes bubbly without browning.

Step 5: Build Creamy Sauce

Slowly pour milk into butter-flour mixture.

Whisk continuously to prevent lumps.

Heat until sauce thickens smoothly.

Step 6: Add Cheese Goodness

Once sauce is hot, gradually incorporate shredded cheddar cheese.

Whisk until sauce becomes silky and uniform.

Step 7: Season Cheese Sauce

• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper

Season with salt to taste.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pour warm cheese sauce generously over grilled chicken.

Serve immediately while everything is hot.

Pro Tips for Creamy and Spicy Mexican Chicken

• Spice Mastery: Create a custom spice blend by adjusting the ratios of chili powder, cumin, and paprika to match your personal heat preference and flavor profile.
• Cheese Sauce Smoothness: Grate the cheddar cheese fresh and add it gradually while constantly whisking to prevent clumping and ensure a silky, creamy texture.
• Chicken Moisture Trick: Allow the chicken to rest for 5-7 minutes after grilling to lock in juices and prevent dryness, resulting in tender, succulent meat.
• Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature, ensuring it reaches exactly 165°F for perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Sauce Consistency Hack: If the cheese sauce becomes too thick, slowly thin it with warm milk or chicken broth, stirring continuously to maintain a luxurious, pourable consistency.

How to Keep Mexican Chicken with Cheddar Sauce Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken and cheese sauce separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Chicken: Warm chicken in microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying. Alternatively, gently reheat in covered skillet with splash of broth to maintain moisture.
• Reheat Cheese Sauce: Warm sauce slowly in saucepan over low heat, whisking continuously to prevent separation. Add small amount of milk if sauce becomes too thick, stirring until smooth and creamy consistency returns.

Pairing Suggestions for Mexican Chicken in Cheddar Sauce

• Pop Open a Cold Mexican Beer: Grab a crisp Corona or Modelo Especial to complement the spicy, cheesy chicken. The light beer cuts through the richness of the cheese sauce and refreshes your palate with each sip.
• Serve with Zesty Cilantro-Lime Rice: Create a perfect side that echoes the Mexican-inspired flavors of the chicken. The bright, tangy rice balances the creamy cheese sauce and adds a fresh contrast to the spicy seasoned meat.
• Pour a Citrusy White Wine: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with bright, acidic notes that will slice through the heavy cheese sauce. The wine's crisp profile enhances the spices and cleanses your palate between bites.
• Add a Fresh Avocado Salad: Prepare a simple salad with diced avocados, tomatoes, and red onion dressed in lime juice. The creamy avocado and zingy dressing provide a cool, refreshing counterpoint to the warm, spicy chicken.

Add a Twist to Mexican Chicken with These Variations

• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Replace cayenne with fresh chopped jalapeños in the cheese sauce for an extra zesty flavor profile that adds vibrant heat and texture to the chicken.
• Southwest Skillet Transformation: Cook chicken in a cast-iron skillet instead of grilling, creating a crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior and developing deeper caramelized spice notes.
• Green Chile Fusion: Incorporate roasted green chiles into the cheese sauce, blending New Mexican culinary traditions with the original recipe's Mexican-inspired seasoning for a rich, tangy variation.
• Smoky Chipotle Version: Substitute some paprika with ground chipotle powder in the spice rub, adding a deep, smoky undertone that complements the creamy cheddar sauce and elevates the overall dish complexity.

Mexican Chicken with Creamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling Mexican chicken brings zesty flavors straight from south of the border, combining tender chicken with a rich, velvety cheddar cheese sauce that melts in your mouth. Spice-lovers and comfort food enthusiasts will savor this delightful dish that promises a delicious journey through Mexican-inspired culinary excitement.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Spice Blend:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (fresh, not pre-packaged)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Mix all ground spices including chili, garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a compact container.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken breasts on both surfaces with the carefully blended spice mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Heat grill pan over medium-high temperature, creating a searing surface for perfect chicken preparation.
4. Place seasoned chicken breasts onto hot grill pan, cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F, maintaining juicy texture and thorough doneness.
5. Remove chicken from heat and allow to rest, enabling natural juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
6. Melt butter in medium saucepan over moderate heat, creating a smooth base for the cheese sauce.
7. Introduce flour to melted butter, whisking continuously to prevent browning and develop a consistent roux.
8. Slowly incorporate milk while whisking vigorously, eliminating potential lumps and creating a silky foundation.
9. Once mixture thickens and heats uniformly, gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until sauce becomes completely smooth and glossy.
10. Enhance sauce with additional paprika and cayenne pepper, seasoning with salt to elevate flavor profile.
11. Transfer grilled chicken to serving plates and cascade warm, velvety cheese sauce generously over the top.
12. Serve immediately, ensuring optimal temperature and sauce consistency for maximum culinary enjoyment.

Notes

• Spice-packed chicken breasts transform from ordinary to extraordinary with a bold, homemade seasoning blend that locks in incredible flavor and moisture.
• Creamy cheddar cheese sauce adds luxurious richness, creating a velvety coating that elevates the grilled chicken from simple to spectacular.
• Quick-cooking technique ensures tender, juicy chicken while the cheese sauce provides a mouthwatering complement.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 130mg