Creamy Poblano Chicken Bake
Indulge in the flavors of Mexico with this delectable Creamy Poblano Chicken Bake. Inspired by a beloved recipe from Jalapenos, a local Mexican restaurant, this dish features tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy poblano sauce. Roasting the poblano chile enhances its smoky flavor, which pairs beautifully with the silky texture of the sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this meal can be made lighter without sacrificing taste by using light butter and fat-free cream. Experience a burst of flavor that brings the spirit of Cinco de Mayo to your table any time of year!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (pounded flat)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
large poblano chile
1 (roasted and peeled)
olive oil
to taste (for rubbing on poblano)
milk
1/4 cup
butter
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) (divided)
flour
1 tablespoon
heavy cream
1 cup
grated cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2
Gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, then generously season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
3
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the poblano chile. Rub it with olive oil and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the skin is charred and blackened.
4
Once roasted, remove the poblano from the oven and use a damp paper towel to carefully rub off the charred skin. Set aside.
5
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
6
In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and stir continuously until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes.
7
In a blender or food processor, puree half of the roasted poblano with the milk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the saucepan with the flour, mixing well. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream.
8
Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring frequently, until it becomes thick and bubbly. Add salt to taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
9
In an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Sear the chicken breasts for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
10
Slice the remaining poblano into strips and layer them over the seared chicken. Pour the creamy poblano sauce over the top, then sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Poblano Chicken Bake?
It is a Mexican-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy roasted poblano sauce.
Where does this recipe come from?
This dish is inspired by a beloved recipe from Jalapenos, a local Mexican restaurant.
How do you prepare the poblano chile?
Rub the chile with olive oil and roast it at 450°F for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin is charred and blackened.
What is the first temperature used for roasting the poblano?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (230°C) for the initial roasting step.
How do I remove the skin from the roasted poblano?
After roasting, use a damp paper towel to carefully rub off the charred skin.
What temperature should the oven be for baking the chicken?
After the poblano is roasted, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
How should the chicken breasts be prepared?
Gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness and season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How long should the chicken marinate in the refrigerator?
The seasoned chicken should be covered and refrigerated for 20 minutes before cooking.
How do you start the sauce base?
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of flour for about 2 minutes until thickened.
What ingredients are blended for the sauce?
Puree half of the roasted poblano chile with 1/4 cup of milk in a blender or food processor until smooth.
When do I add the heavy cream?
Gradually whisk the heavy cream into the saucepan after the flour, milk, and poblano mixture are combined.
How long should the sauce be cooked?
Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring frequently, until it becomes thick and bubbly.
How is the chicken cooked before baking?
Sear the chicken breasts in an ovenproof skillet with butter for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
What is done with the remaining roasted poblano?
Slice the remaining poblano into strips and layer them directly over the seared chicken.
What cheese is used for the topping?
The dish is topped with 6 tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese.
How long does the final baking take?
Bake the assembled dish for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Can I make this recipe lighter?
Yes, you can use light butter and fat-free cream to reduce the fat content without sacrificing taste.
What gives the sauce its smoky flavor?
Roasting the poblano chile until the skin is charred enhances its natural smoky flavor.
How much butter is required in total?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter, divided between the sauce and searing the chicken.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce has a rich, silky texture that pairs beautifully with the tender chicken.
How many chicken breasts does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed for 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Is this recipe suitable for Cinco de Mayo?
Yes, it is a perfect way to bring the spirit of Cinco de Mayo to your table any time of year.
What type of skillet is recommended?
An ovenproof skillet is recommended so the chicken can go directly from the stovetop to the oven.
How much heavy cream is used?
The recipe requires 1 cup of heavy cream for the sauce.
Do I need to peel the poblano?
Yes, roasting and peeling the poblano is a key step to ensure the correct texture and flavor.
How much flour is used for the roux?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of flour.
What seasoning is used for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Is the poblano spicy?
Poblano chiles are generally mild to medium in heat, offering more flavor than intense spice.
What equipment is needed for the sauce puree?
You will need either a blender or a food processor to puree the poblano and milk.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, with its creamy sauce and melted cheese, it is categorized as a comfort food dish.