Description
This Mexican Chicken with Cheese Sauce recipe offers a rich and comforting dish combining vibrant Mexican flavors with creamy plant-based indulgence. Juicy chicken breasts are smothered in a luscious, smooth plant-based cheese sauce infused with fresh garlic, onion, and authentic Mexican spices. Perfect for quick weeknight meals or impressing guests with bold, satisfying tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 chicken breasts, trimmed
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup grape juice
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based), shredded or cubed
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk
- 1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Finishing Touches
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim the chicken breasts and season them evenly with salt, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest, preserving the juices.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion turns translucent and the mixture is fragrant, scraping up any browned bits left from the chicken to enhance flavor.
- Build the Cheese Sauce: Stir in tomato paste (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and grape juice. Allow the mixture to simmer briefly to combine the flavors. Then add the plant-based cheese (plant-based), plant-based milk, and a pinch of natural gelling agent. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and coat them generously with the cheese sauce. Let everything warm together for a couple of minutes so the flavors can meld perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and drizzle lime juice over the dish just before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juicier texture.
- Allow the chicken to rest after cooking to keep it tender and juicy.
- Add plant-based milk slowly to achieve the perfect cheese sauce consistency.
- Incorporate fresh cilantro and lime juice at the end to retain their bright flavor.
- Deglaze the pan well after cooking the chicken to capture all savory bits for the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Mexican chicken, plant-based cheese sauce, gluten free, quick dinner, creamy sauce, savory chicken, dairy-free, easy recipe, weeknight meal
