Easy Baked Queso Chicken Recipe
This Easy Baked Queso Chicken is a flavorful, cheesy dish combining marinated and seared chicken breasts topped with a savory onion-tomato sauté and rich queso sauce, baked to perfection. It’s a simple yet hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus optional marinating overnight)
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes (5-10 minutes searing + 20-25 minutes baking)
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes (excluding overnight marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
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
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- Optional: diced jalapeño
Sauce and Garnish
- 2 cups cheese sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F and place the rack on the top shelf. In a large Ziploc bag, combine chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin powder, chili seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Press out the air and seal the bag. Massage the bag gently to coat the chicken evenly in the spices. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to overnight in the refrigerator for best flavor infusion.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add the marinated chicken breasts and sear them until they develop a golden-brown crust on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Once seared, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion, diced tomato, and optional jalapeño. Sauté the vegetables, stirring frequently, until they soften and become fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes. Be careful to avoid burning the vegetables.
- Assemble and Bake: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet atop the sautéed vegetables. Evenly spoon the queso cheese sauce over each chicken breast. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, use a 9×13-inch casserole dish instead. Place the skillet or casserole pan on the top rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaching 165°F) and the queso sauce is bubbling and turning golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish the chicken with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve hot with side dishes such as cilantro lime rice, crusty bread, or pasta for a complete meal. Enjoy the deliciously cheesy and flavorful chicken!
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less jalapeño according to your preference.
- If you prefer a smoky flavor, consider using smoked paprika.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Homemade queso sauce adds a fresh taste but store-bought queso works for convenience.
Keywords: baked queso chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, Tex-Mex chicken, baked chicken with queso sauce
Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/easy-baked-queso-chicken-recipe/
