Description

A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken breasts in a rich, tangy cream cheese sauce with spicy jalapenos, all cooked in a single skillet for minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 medium fresh jalapenos, chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
8 oz full-fat cream cheese, cubed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Pat chicken breasts dry and pound to ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika.
Heat butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium. Add jalapenos and garlic to the skillet; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add cubed cream cheese and stir gently over medium-low heat until melted and smooth (3-4 minutes). Do not boil.
Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with rice or crusty bread.

Notes

Pounding the chicken ensures even cooking. Control heat when melting cream cheese to prevent separation. For dairy-free, use coconut cream. For low-carb, serve with cauliflower rice instead of rice.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
Calories: 450
Sugar: 2
Sodium: 600
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 14
Carbohydrates: 6
Fiber: 1
Protein: 35

Keywords: one skillet, creamy chicken, jalapeno chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meals, gluten-free, high protein