Jalapeno Chicken Creamy Garlic Sauce (Print version)

Tender chicken in a rich, spicy cream sauce with jalapeños and garlic—ready in 40 minutes for a bold, satisfying meal.

# What you need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

05 - ½ cup heavy cream
06 - ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Liquids

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon paprika
10 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sliced jalapeños, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium.
05 - Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Monterey Jack cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
06 - Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce generously over each piece. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
07 - Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with your choice of rice, roasted potatoes, or crisp salad.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Perfectly adjustable heat level so everyone at the table stays happy
  • That creamy, spicy combo is the kind of dinner that makes you actually excited about cooking
02 -
  • Do not let the sauce come to a rolling boil after adding the cream or it will separate and become grainy
  • The chicken continues cooking while resting in the sauce so remove it from the skillet just before it is fully done
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one for the best sear and easy cleanup
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the smoothest sauce texture

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