Zesty Southwest Chicken with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
This delicious Zesty Southwest Chicken with Creamy Chipotle Sauce is a perfect blend of smoky flavors and creamy textures. Perfectly baked chicken legs infused with a rich chipotle sauce made from roasted chiles and aromatic garlic, finished off with melty queso cheese. Serve it with steamed rice for a comforting meal that’s sure to impress your family and friends. The combination of spices and creamy elements makes this dish a standout on any dinner table.
N/A
Servings
550
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken legs with thigh
3 (cleaned and trimmed)
milk
3/4 cup (none)
canned chipotle chiles
3 (drained)
garlic
6 (minced)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (none)
onion powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (none)
flour
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
heavy cream
1/2 cup (none)
sour cream
1/4 cup (none)
queso cheese
8 ounces (grated (Monterrey Jack ok))
minced chipotle chile
to garnish (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Arrange the chicken legs in a spacious ovenproof baking dish and place them in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through but not browned.
3
While the chicken is baking, prepare the chipotle sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the milk, canned chipotle chiles, minced garlic, cumin, onion powder, and salt. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
4
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously until combined and smooth. Gradually pour in the heavy cream and sour cream, whisking constantly until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
5
Stir in the chipotle puree into the cream mixture. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the sauce reaches a gentle boil and thickens slightly. Remove from heat once thickened.
6
After 25 minutes of baking, carefully remove the chicken from the oven and drain any excess fat. Pour the chipotle cream sauce generously over the chicken, followed by an even layer of grated queso cheese.
7
Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and begins to brown.
8
Once done, remove from the oven and let rest for a couple of minutes. Serve with extra chipotle sauce spooned over the chicken and garnish with minced chipotle chiles, if desired.
9
Pair with steamed rice and additional sauce for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
36g
Fat
15g
Carbs
40g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish described in this recipe?
The dish is Zesty Southwest Chicken with Creamy Chipotle Sauce, featuring baked chicken legs in a smoky, garlic-infused chipotle cream sauce.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 chicken legs with thighs, cleaned and trimmed.
What are the ingredients for the chipotle sauce puree?
The puree is made by blending milk, canned chipotle chiles, minced garlic, ground cumin, onion powder, and salt.
How do you make the cream base for the sauce?
Melt butter in a skillet, whisk in flour to create a roux, then gradually add heavy cream and sour cream until smooth.
What kind of cheese is recommended for topping?
The recipe suggests 8 ounces of grated queso cheese, noting that Monterrey Jack is a suitable alternative.
How long does the chicken bake initially?
The chicken legs should be baked for 25 minutes before adding the sauce.
Do I need to drain the chicken during cooking?
Yes, after the first 25 minutes of baking, you should carefully remove the chicken and drain any excess fat.
How long is the final baking step after adding the sauce?
Bake for an additional 20 minutes once the sauce and cheese are added, or until the cheese is melted and begins to brown.
What is the total baking time for this recipe?
The total baking time is approximately 45 minutes.
What should I serve with this Southwest chicken?
The recipe recommends serving the chicken with steamed rice and extra chipotle sauce.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 550 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving contains 40g of protein.
How much fat is in this recipe?
This dish contains 36g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 6 minced garlic cloves.
How many chipotle chiles go into the sauce?
Three canned chipotle chiles are blended into the sauce mixture.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either butter or margarine.
How much heavy cream is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
What amount of sour cream is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of sour cream.
What is the garnish for this dish?
The dish can be garnished with additional minced chipotle chiles.
How do I know when the sauce is ready in the skillet?
The sauce is ready once it reaches a gentle boil and thickens slightly after adding the chipotle puree.
What spices are included in the chipotle puree?
The puree includes 1/2 teaspoon each of ground cumin, onion powder, and salt.
How much milk is used in the blender mixture?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of milk.
How much flour is needed for the roux?
You will need 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour.
Is this dish considered spicy?
Yes, the use of canned chipotle chiles and additional garnish makes this a zesty and spicy dish.
Should I let the chicken rest before serving?
Yes, it is recommended to let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes after removing it from the oven.
Is this recipe suitable for a family meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a family meal and comfort food suitable for an easy dinner.
What are the flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish features smoky flavors from the chipotle and a rich, creamy texture from the sauce and cheese.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 13 ingredients listed for this dish.