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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Flour Coating: Delicately dust seasoned chicken with a uniform flour layer, creating a protective crust for enhanced texture and flavor.
- Lime Caramelization: Sear lime slices in a blazing skillet until char marks develop, then set aside on a separate plate for garnishing.
- Chicken Searing: Quickly brown chicken pieces in hot vegetable oil, developing a crisp golden exterior without overcrowding the pan. Remove and reserve.
- Vegetable Infusion: Introduce corn kernels, jalapeños, and garlic to the same skillet, stirring until corn achieves a rich, toasted golden color.
- Flavor Melding: Return chicken to the skillet, splash with lime juice and water, allowing liquid to nearly evaporate and create an intense flavor profile.
- 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.
- 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