Savory Creamy Chicken Azteca
Indulge in the flavors of Mexico with my version of Azteca Restaurant's Pollo a la Crema. This rich and sumptuous dish features tender chicken breasts sautéed to perfection with sweet onions and enveloped in a velvety crema sauce. Enhanced with robust spices like ancho chili and a hint of cocoa, this recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare despite its lengthy ingredient list. Perfect for family dinner or entertaining guests, serve it with fluffy rice and beans for a complete meal that brings the taste of authentic Mexican cuisine right to your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 (cut into strips or bite-sized pieces)
fresh sweet onion
1 medium (sliced (yellow or red, your choice))
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
boiling water
3 cups
beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons
chicken bouillon granule
1 teaspoon
tomato paste
6 ounces
minced roasted garlic
2 teaspoons
dried ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon
cumin
1 teaspoon
cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon
cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon
dry sherry
1 teaspoon
butter
1/4 teaspoon
Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon (or use your favorite hot sauce, to taste)
Mexican crema
1 cup (known as Mexican 'Table Cream')
salt
to taste
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
crumbled Cotija cheese
1/4 cup (for garnish)
chopped scallion
for garnish
ripe avocado
1 (pitted, peeled, and cut into slices for garnish)
Instructions
1
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until it becomes tender and slightly translucent, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
2
Add the cut chicken pieces to the skillet, cooking until browned on all sides, about 7 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally for even cooking.
3
In a separate large saucepan over medium heat, combine 3 cups of boiling water with beef bouillon granules and chicken bouillon granule until completely dissolved. This will serve as the flavorful base for the sauce.
4
Incorporate the tomato paste, roasted garlic, ancho chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder, cider vinegar, dry sherry, butter, and hot sauce into the mixture in the saucepan. Stir well until everything is combined.
5
Add the sautéed chicken and onions into the sauce mixture. Simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
6
Remove from heat and mix in the Mexican crema. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
7
Serve hot, garnished with crumbled Cotija cheese, freshly chopped scallions, and avocado slices. Pair with rice and beans for a delightful and satisfying meal. Enjoy the rich, creamy goodness!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Creamy Chicken Azteca?
It is a rich Mexican-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed with sweet onions in a velvety crema sauce, similar to the Pollo a la Crema served at Azteca Restaurant.
How many chicken breasts are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for six boneless skinless chicken breasts.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The chicken breasts should be cut into strips or bite-sized pieces.
What type of onion is recommended?
A medium fresh sweet onion is recommended, and you can use either yellow or red varieties.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the sliced onion for approximately 3 to 5 minutes until it becomes tender and slightly translucent.
What is the cooking time for browning the chicken?
The chicken pieces should be cooked until browned on all sides, which takes about 7 minutes.
What ingredients make up the liquid base of the sauce?
The base consists of 3 cups of boiling water mixed with 2 teaspoons of beef bouillon granules and 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon granule.
Is there a secret ingredient for depth of flavor in the sauce?
Yes, the recipe uses a hint of cocoa powder (1/2 teaspoon) to enhance the robust Mexican spices.
How much tomato paste is used in this dish?
The recipe requires 6 ounces of tomato paste.
What type of garlic should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of minced roasted garlic.
What kind of chili powder is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of dried ancho chile powder.
When do I add the Mexican crema?
The Mexican crema should be mixed in after the saucepan has been removed from the heat.
What is Mexican crema?
Mexican crema is also known as Mexican Table Cream, which provides a velvety texture to the sauce.
Can I substitute the Tabasco sauce?
Yes, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce to taste.
How long does the chicken simmer in the sauce?
The chicken and onions should simmer uncovered in the sauce mixture for about 5 minutes.
What are the suggested garnishes for this dish?
Garnish the dish with crumbled Cotija cheese, freshly chopped scallions, and ripe avocado slices.
Does the recipe include vinegar?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of cider vinegar is added to the sauce mixture.
Is alcohol used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dry sherry to enhance the flavor profile.
What side dishes are recommended for a complete meal?
It is best served with fluffy rice and beans.
How much cumin is required?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of cumin.
Is there butter in the sauce?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of butter is incorporated into the sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are a total of 21 ingredients listed for this Savory Creamy Chicken Azteca.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
Two tablespoons of vegetable oil are used to sauté the onions and chicken.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
Crumbled Cotija cheese (1/4 cup) is used for the garnish.
Should the sauce be covered while simmering?
No, the sauce should be simmered uncovered to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Is this recipe considered difficult?
No, despite the long ingredient list, the recipe is described as surprisingly easy to prepare.
How should the avocado be prepared for garnish?
The avocado should be pitted, peeled, and cut into slices.
How much beef bouillon is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of beef bouillon granules.
What provides the savory flavor base?
A combination of boiling water, beef bouillon, and chicken bouillon creates the flavorful base.
How is the seasoning adjusted?
After adding the crema, you should taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.