Easy Baked Queso Chicken

Easy Baked Queso Chicken

Easy Baked Queso Chicken is just the meal you need! Hey friends! Craving something cheesy and delicious? I’ve got just the thing for you! Today, I’m sharing this recipe for Easy Baked Queso Chicken. It’s loaded with flavor and super simple to make. Perfect for dinner or a cozy night in. Get ready to impress your taste buds!

Ingredients

For the chicken:
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
4 chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chili seasoning

For the sauce and vegetables:
1 tbsp olive oil (I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
2 cups cheese sauce (I use Tostitos Medium Con Queso)
1 medium onion (diced into ½ inch pieces)
1 medium tomato (finely diced for best texture)
For the garnish:
1 tbsp fresh cilantro (finely chopped)
Optional:
1 diced jalapeño (for extra heat)

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken. Preheat your oven to 400°F and arrange the oven rack on the top shelf. In a large Ziploc bag, combine chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Ensure the seasoning coats the chicken evenly by pressing it around. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes, but ideally up to overnight in the fridge to absorb maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken. When ready to cook, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, or until the oil sizzles. Add the marinated chicken breasts and sear until they are nicely browned on both sides, which should take about 4-5 minutes per side. Once seared, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables. In the same skillet, add chopped onion, tomato, and jalapeño. Sauté these vegetables until they become soft, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Make sure to stir often to prevent any burning.

Easy Baked Queso Chicken continued…

Step 4: Assemble and Bake. Return the seared chicken to the skillet and top each breast with the sautéed onion and tomato mixture. Spread queso sauce evenly over each chicken breast. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can use a 9×13 inch casserole pan instead. Bake on the top rack of the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the queso turns golden brown. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Step 5: Serve. Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with cilantro lime rice, crusty bread, or over pasta if desired. Enjoy your flavorful and cheesy chicken!

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