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Easy Baked Queso Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 104 reviews

Easy Baked Queso Chicken is a flavorful and cheesy dish featuring juicy marinated chicken breasts seared to perfection, topped with sautéed onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños, then baked with a creamy queso sauce until golden and bubbling. This comforting meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs well with rice, bread, or pasta.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (around 2 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, separated
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian blend
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Vegetables and Toppings

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • Optional: diced jalapeño, to taste
  • 2 cups cheese sauce, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and position the oven rack on the top shelf. In a large Ziploc bag, combine the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Press out the air and seal the bag tightly, massaging to coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning mixture. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, until the oil is hot and shimmering. Add the marinated chicken breasts and sear them for 4-5 minutes per side until a nice golden-brown crust forms. Once seared, transfer the chicken breasts to a plate and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the chopped onion, diced tomato, and optional jalapeño. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, taking care not to let them burn.
  4. Assemble and Bake: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them evenly spaced. Spoon the sautéed vegetables on top of each breast, then generously spread the queso cheese sauce evenly over all. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, transfer everything to a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Place the dish on the top rack of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the queso sauce is golden and bubbly.
  5. Serve: Remove the skillet or casserole from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve the cheesy chicken hot, alongside cilantro lime rice, crusty bread, or pasta as desired. Enjoy this rich, comforting, and flavorful dish!

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor significantly but is optional if short on time.
  • If you prefer less heat, omit the jalapeño or adjust the amount.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Homemade queso sauce made from melted cheeses and cream will yield a richer flavor but store-bought queso is a quick alternative.
  • Variations: add black beans or corn to the sautéed vegetables for extra texture and taste.

Keywords: baked queso chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, Mexican chicken recipe, weeknight chicken, queso sauce chicken, oven-baked chicken

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/easy-baked-queso-chicken-recipe/