Description
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a creamy plant-based cheese sauce infused with vibrant Mexican spices. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal that is quick to prepare, customizable, and perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
Sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
- 1/2 cup canned or fresh green chilies, diced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- 1 cup shredded plant-based cheese
Finishing Touches
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Heat the olive or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 6 minutes on each side until it is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving the cooking juices in the pan.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and fragrant, creating a flavorful base for the cheese sauce.
- Build the sauce: Stir in the tomato paste (natural) and the diced green chilies. Pour in the chicken broth along with a splash of vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Gradually sprinkle the natural gelling agent over the mixture while stirring constantly to thicken the sauce smoothly.
- Add cheese sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Incorporate the shredded plant-based cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until it melts completely and forms a rich, creamy texture.
- Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them evenly with the sauce. Let simmer gently for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Finish the dish by adding fresh lime juice and sprinkling chopped cilantro over the top before serving.
Notes
- Preheat your skillet to ensure a good sear and to lock in the juices of the chicken.
- Use fresh spices to enhance the authentic Mexican flavor of the dish.
- Do not skip the natural gelling agent as it is essential for the perfect sauce consistency.
- Allow the sauce to simmer to deepen the flavor and thicken smoothly.
- Add fresh lime juice at the end to add a bright, zesty balance to the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Mexican chicken, plant-based cheese sauce, quick dinner, comfort food, gluten free, family meal
