Description
This Creamy Jalapeño Chicken Skillet is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, spicy jalapeño cream sauce. With smoky paprika, fresh jalapeños, and melted Monterey Jack cheese, this one-pan meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and full of zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3-4 fresh jalapeños, sliced and seeds removed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to ensure flavorful meat.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sliced jalapeños, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the chicken broth, using a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet bottom. Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes to concentrate flavors.
- Add cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken the sauce.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spoon the creamy jalapeño sauce over the breasts, and evenly sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top.
- Finish cooking: Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, creating a luscious coating on the chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the dish and serve immediately with lime wedges to add a burst of fresh citrus flavor.
Notes
- To reduce heat, remove jalapeño seeds before slicing.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of chipotle powder.
- This dish pairs well with rice, tortillas, or steamed vegetables.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
