Jalapeño Chicken Skillet Meal

Name: Chicken with Jalapeno Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts ((about 4 ounces each)); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon oil; 2 medium onions (chopped); ½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth; 2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and minced); 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 3 ounces cream cheese; ¼ cup reduced fat sour cream; 3 plum tomatoes (seeded and chopped); Hot cooked rice (for serving)

Written ByDorothy Kern

Updated OnDecember 21, 2023

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This Jalapeño Chicken recipe makes the perfect weekday dinner because it’s an easy, super quick and minimal dish to wash because it all cooks in one pot. A one-pot dinner that takes 30 minutes to make? Yes please!

One Pot Creamy Jalapeno Chicken

This cheesy jalapeño chicken recipe is made with juicy chicken and a cream sauce perfect alone or amazing with pasta or rice. Both the sauce and chicken cook in the same pan – love that, don’t you? Fewer dishes – are always a good thing.

One-pot, 30 minutes, and delicious? This jalapeño Chicken recipe makes the perfect go-to for busy weekdays.

Ingredients Needed

Chicken Breasts – I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, or you can use thin cut or tenders.
Spices – Salt, pepper, cumin
Oil – I prefer cooking with olive oil
Onions – Dice up a yellow or white onion.
Chicken Stock – I prefer using reduced sodium
Jalapeños – Remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeño unless you like the dish extra spicy!
Garlic – mince it small or use paste
Cream Cheese – I prefer regular block cream cheese but you can use tub or low-fat.
Sour Cream – Reduced fat is fine
Tomatoes – Use your favorite kind, dice and seed them
Hot cooked rice or any other side like pasta to complete the meal

Key to Chicken Prep

The key to success with this dish is in how you prep the chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are usually thicker on one end and thinner at the other end. If you just toss them in the pan like that they won’t cook evenly – the thick end will take longer – and they won’t cook as fast.

It’s also a good idea to pound the chicken with a meat mallet or rolling pin to even out the thickness. This will also tenderize the chicken so it’s even more tender after you cook it.

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chicken and veggies in a pan with sauce and a spoon

How to make jalapeño Chicken

If your chicken breasts are large, butterfly them to cut them in half and/or pound them thinner.
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper to season.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Brown the chicken on both sides.
Add the onions, broth, jalapeños, cumin, and garlic. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through (thermometer reads 165°F), about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and keep warm.
Stir cream cheese and sour cream into the jalapeño mixture. Stir in tomatoes and heat through. Don’t boil or the sauce will break. Add the chicken back to the pan to rewarm as needed.
Serve over rice, pasta or veggies as a complete meal.

Serving Suggestions

The chicken with jalapeño cream sauce is great all on its own but you can add a simple side dish, too.

To keep it low carb, add a side of cauliflower rice or roasted cauliflower. Or serve it with a steamed veggie on the side.
It’s delicious spooned over white or brown rice or toss it with some cooked pasta.
A simple green salad and some crusty bread would be delicious, too!
A vegetable side dish, like air fryer broccoli or garlic green beans.
Roasted Potatoes are a great addition too!