Sizzling One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Recipe

Spice lovers rejoice as this one pan cheesy jalapeño chicken recipe brings a fiery twist to your dinner routine.

Bold flavors dance across tender chicken, creating a meal that sparks excitement at the table.

The combination of creamy cheese and zesty peppers makes every bite an adventure.

Jalapeños add a vibrant kick that transforms an ordinary chicken dish into something extraordinary.

Each forkful promises a perfect balance of heat and comfort.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze.

You’ll fall in love with this quick, delicious recipe that turns an everyday meal into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken

• Chicken: Tender canvas for bold spices, choose fresh, high-quality cuts for maximum flavor.
• Chili Powder: Adds warm, smoky depth to the chicken's seasoning profile.
• Oregano: Brings earthy Mediterranean notes to complement the spicy elements.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances all other seasonings in the dish.
• Cumin: Provides rich, warm undertones with subtle earthiness.
• Black Pepper: Introduces sharp, zesty kick to the spice blend.
• Minced Onion: Delivers subtle sweetness and aromatic complexity.
• Ancho Chile Powder: Contributes deep, mild fruity heat with rich color.

• Flour: Creates crispy golden coating for chicken, ensuring perfect texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides smooth cooking medium with neutral flavor.
• Corn Kernels: Adds sweet crunch and rustic southwestern character.
• Jalapeños: Introduces fresh, vibrant heat and bright green color.
• Garlic: Brings pungent, aromatic depth to the overall dish.

• Lime: Offers bright, citrusy acidity to cut through rich flavors.
• Shredded Cheese: Melts into creamy, indulgent topping with golden-brown finish.
• Cilantro: Provides fresh, herbal brightness as final flourish.

Tools for Making One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken

• Large oven-safe skillet: The star of this one-pan wonder, perfect for searing and finishing the dish.
• Mixing bowl: Essential for seasoning and coating the chicken with a flavorful spice mix.
• Plate: Useful for holding charred lime slices and resting cooked chicken.
• Measuring spoons: Helps precisely measure spices for the perfect flavor balance.
• Measuring tablespoon: Needed for accurately adding oil to the skillet.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring corn and jalapeños, and moving ingredients around the pan.
• Broiler: Crucial for melting cheese to golden, bubbly perfection.

How to Cook Spicy Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken in One Pan

• Spice Blend Preparation

Mix chicken with a vibrant blend of bold spices, massaging each piece to ensure deep flavor infusion.

• Flour Coating

Gently dust the seasoned chicken with a light flour layer, creating a delicate protective crust.

• Lime Char

Quickly sear lime slices in a hot skillet, releasing their aromatic essence and developing a caramelized exterior.

• Golden Chicken Sear

Brown chicken pieces in hot oil, developing a rich golden color and sealing in succulent juices.

• Veggie Medley

Sauté corn, jalapeños, and garlic in the same skillet, creating a colorful and fragrant base.

• Liquid Fusion

Return chicken to the pan, adding a splash of lime juice and water to create a harmonious sauce.

• Cheesy Finale

Sprinkle cheese over the dish and broil briefly, transforming the surface into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.

• Fresh Garnish

Top with fresh cilantro and serve alongside charred lime slices for a bright, zesty finish.

Tips to Balance Heat and Creaminess in Jalapeño Chicken

• Adjust jalapeño quantity based on spice preference. Remove seeds for milder flavor or add extra peppers for more intense kick.
• Replace chicken with turkey, pork, or firm tofu for diverse meal options. Adjust cooking times accordingly for different proteins.
• Experiment with monterey jack, pepper jack, or queso fresco instead of standard shredded cheese. Each brings unique flavor profile to the dish.
• Use a heavy cast-iron skillet for best heat distribution and beautiful golden-brown chicken sear. Avoid non-stick pans that limit caramelization potential.
• Prepare spice blend and marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor infusion. Store seasoned chicken in sealed container to enhance taste before cooking.

Serve One Pan Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken with Sides

• Festive Fiesta Plating: Arrange the cheesy jalapeño chicken on a vibrant ceramic plate, nestled among the charred lime slices for a pop of color and tangy brightness.
• Taco Night Transformation: Transform this dish into a quick taco filling by serving the chicken in warm corn tortillas, topped with extra cilantro and a dollop of cool sour cream to balance the spicy kick.
• Hearty Bowl Companion: Create a complete meal by serving the chicken over cilantro-lime rice or cauliflower rice, adding a scoop of black beans and a fresh corn salsa for a satisfying and nutritious dinner.
• Spicy Side Swagger: Pair the dish with a crisp green salad dressed in a zesty lime vinaigrette or serve alongside Mexican street corn for a complementary flavor profile that enhances the meal's bold southwestern spirit.

How to Store Jalapeño Chicken and Reheat Easily

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare multiple chicken portions in advance, storing them in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and energy.
• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store leftovers in sealed containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish refrigerated for up to 3-4 days while maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Smart Freezer Management: Wrap individual chicken portions in freezer-safe wrap, storing them flat to maximize space and preserve quality for up to 1 month, ensuring a delicious meal is always ready.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying and restore the dish's original juiciness and cheesy appeal.

Spicy Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling skillet of one pan cheesy jalapeño chicken delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors with minimal cleanup. Spicy, creamy, and simple dinner promises satisfaction for home cooks craving zesty protein without complicated preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half and pounded to ½ inch thick
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 ½ tbsps (52 ml) vegetable oil, divided
• 1 ½ – 2 cups (240 – 320 g) frozen corn kernels, thawed (or fresh corn)
• 2 jalapeños, seeds removed and sliced lengthwise into strips
• 1 – 1 ½ cups (100 – 150 g) shredded Mexican blend cheese (or any cheese)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) lime juice (juice of 2–3 limes)
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried minced onion
• ¼ tsp ancho chile powder
• Minced fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Extra lime wedges, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly massage chicken with a potent spice blend of chili powder, oregano, kosher salt, cumin, black pepper, minced onion, and ancho chile powder, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Flour Coating: Delicately dust seasoned chicken with a uniform flour layer, creating a protective crust for enhanced texture and flavor.
3. Lime Caramelization: Sear lime slices in a blazing skillet until char marks develop, then set aside on a separate plate for garnishing.
4. Chicken Searing: Quickly brown chicken pieces in hot vegetable oil, developing a crisp golden exterior without overcrowding the pan. Remove and reserve.
5. Vegetable Infusion: Introduce corn kernels, jalapeños, and garlic to the same skillet, stirring until corn achieves a rich, toasted golden color.
6. Flavor Melding: Return chicken to the skillet, splash with lime juice and water, allowing liquid to nearly evaporate and create an intense flavor profile.
7. Cheese Transformation: Lavishly cover chicken with shredded cheese, then position under the broiler set to high heat until cheese melts into a luxurious, bubbling blanket.
8. Final Garnish: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the dish and accompany with charred lime slices for a vibrant, zesty finish.

Notes

• Spice Massage Technique: Thoroughly rub spices into chicken meat to ensure deep, even flavor penetration for maximum taste profile.
• Flour Coating Pro Tip: Dust chicken evenly with flour to create a crispy exterior that helps lock in moisture and develops a beautiful golden crust.
• Broiler Precision: Watch cheese closely under high broiler heat to achieve perfect melting without burning, typically 2-3 minutes maximum.
• Flavor Layering Strategy: Char lime slices and toast corn separately to build complex, smoky undertones that elevate the entire dish’s taste complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg