Description
Easy Baked Queso Chicken is a flavorful, cheesy dish featuring marinated chicken breasts seared to perfection and topped with a savory queso cheese sauce and sautéed vegetables, then baked until golden and tender. This comforting recipe combines smoky spices with creamy cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp chili seasoning
For the sauce and vegetables:
- 1 tbsp olive oil (preferably Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
- 2 cups cheese sauce (such as Tostitos Medium Con Queso)
- 1 medium onion, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium tomato, finely diced
- Optional: 1 diced jalapeño (for extra heat)
For the garnish:
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the oven rack on the top shelf. In a large Ziploc bag, combine the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag after pressing out the air, then massage the seasonings evenly over each chicken breast. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, ideally overnight in the refrigerator for full flavor absorption.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, about 2 minutes. Add the marinated chicken breasts and sear them until golden brown on each side, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onion, tomato, and jalapeño (if using). Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften, stirring frequently to avoid burning and to evenly cook the mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, topping each with the sautéed vegetable mixture. Pour the queso cheese sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. If a cast-iron skillet isn’t available, transfer the ingredients to a 9×13-inch casserole pan. Bake on the top oven rack at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the queso turns golden brown.
- Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish the chicken with finely chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately. This dish pairs well with cilantro lime rice, crusty bread, or pasta for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight, but a minimum of 15 minutes works in a pinch.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a 9×13 casserole dish can be used for baking.
- Adjust the heat by adding or omitting the jalapeño according to your spice preference.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: baked queso chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken breasts, queso sauce chicken, Mexican-inspired chicken
