Description

This One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner featuring juicy, seasoned chicken breasts smothered in a creamy jalapeño cheese sauce. Perfectly baked in one skillet, this flavorful dish combines the heat of jalapeños with smooth cream cheese, tangy sour cream, and melted cheddar for a comforting meal served with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese Sauce

1/2 cup jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mixture of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter

To Garnish

Fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and cheese sauce together.
Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly onto both sides of the chicken breasts to infuse flavor.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they develop a nice golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken and set aside temporarily.
Prepare the Jalapeño Cheese Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté minced garlic and sliced jalapeños for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in softened cream cheese and sour cream, mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add Chicken Broth: Pour in chicken broth and continue stirring to combine and thicken the sauce slightly. Then nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, ensuring they are coated with the sauce.
Add Cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and sauce, distributing evenly to allow melting during baking.
Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish the chicken with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for a fresh, zesty finish.

Notes

You can adjust the heat level by using fewer jalapeños or opting for pickled ones which are milder.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce into a baking dish before adding cheese and baking.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked without drying out.
Serve with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad to complement the dish.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken, jalapeño, cheese, creamy chicken, baked chicken, one pan dinner, easy chicken recipe, spicy chicken