Creamy Jalapeño Chicken Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Jalapeño Chicken Skillet is a flavorful and comforting one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, cheesy jalapeño cream sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines a spicy kick with creamy textures and fresh cilantro for brightness.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Veggies
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jalapeños, sliced (adjust for spice level)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika, then add them to the hot skillet. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced jalapeños. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and let cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, ensuring it’s fully coated in the creamy jalapeño sauce. Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top before serving.
Notes
- Adjust jalapeño quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Use full-fat heavy cream for the creamiest texture.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- For a milder version, remove the seeds from the jalapeños before slicing.
Keywords: creamy jalapeño chicken, one-pan chicken dinner, easy chicken skillet, spicy chicken with cheese sauce, comfort food chicken recipe