📝 About This Recipe
This beloved Mexican 'plato fuerte' marries tender, golden-seared chicken breast with a luxurious, smoky sauce crafted from chipotle peppers in adobo and silky Mexican crema. It is a quintessential comfort dish found in households across Mexico, offering a perfect balance of mild heat, tanginess, and rich creaminess. This recipe elevates the home-style classic with aromatic herbs and a touch of white wine for a sophisticated finish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
🥗 Ingredients
The Chicken
- 1.5 lbs Chicken breast (boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes or strips)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter (unsalted)
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
The Chipotle Cream Sauce
- 1.5 cups Mexican Crema (can substitute with heavy cream if unavailable)
- 4 ounces Cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
- 2-4 pieces Chipotle peppers in adobo (depending on desired heat level)
- 1 tablespoon Adobo sauce (from the canned chipotles)
- 1/2 cup Milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Chicken bouillon powder (for depth of flavor)
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves (peeled)
- 1/4 piece White onion (roughly chopped for the blender)
Aromatics and Garnish
- 1/2 piece White onion (finely sliced into half-moons)
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro (chopped for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
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2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the chicken in a single layer.
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3
Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
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4
In the same skillet (don't wash it!), add the sliced onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they are translucent and have picked up the golden bits from the chicken.
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5
While the onions cook, prepare the sauce. In a blender, combine the Mexican crema, softened cream cheese, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, milk, garlic cloves, chopped onion, and chicken bouillon.
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6
Blend on high speed for 1 minute until the sauce is completely smooth and turns a beautiful vibrant orange-pink color.
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7
Lower the skillet heat to medium-low. Pour the blended chipotle cream sauce over the sautéed onions in the skillet.
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8
Use a wooden spoon to stir the sauce constantly for 3-4 minutes. You want the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld, but do not let it reach a rolling boil or the cream may break.
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9
Taste the sauce. If it is too spicy, add a splash more milk or crema; if it needs more salt, add a pinch now.
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10
Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices back into the skillet. Stir gently to coat every piece of chicken with the velvety sauce.
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11
Simmer everything together for another 2-3 minutes on low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is glossy.
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12
Remove from heat immediately. Garnish with plenty of fresh chopped cilantro and serve while steaming hot.
💡 Chef's Tips
For a smoother sauce, pass the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before adding it to the pan to remove any stray chipotle seeds. Adjust the heat by starting with only 1 or 2 chipotle peppers; you can always blend in more, but you can't take the heat away! If the sauce becomes too thick while simmering, add a tablespoon of milk at a time to reach your desired consistency. Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before blending to avoid tiny white clumps in your sauce. For an even richer flavor, you can substitute the chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve over a bed of fluffy Mexican white rice with corn and carrots to soak up the extra sauce. Pair with warm corn or flour tortillas for a traditional 'taco' style experience. Accompany with a side of refried black beans topped with a sprinkle of queso fresco. A crisp, cold Mexican lager or a glass of chilled Chardonnay balances the smokiness of the chipotle perfectly. Serve alongside a simple avocado and lime salad to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich cream sauce.