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Baked Queso Chicken

ChickenOvenTex-Mex

Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

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About

Baked Queso Chicken goes beyond flavor. You'll need a whole new word to describe it. How can you talk about this golden-brown chicken marinated in classic Tex-Mex spices and truly convey its depth of deliciousness? Or the sautéed veggies on top and the toasted, creamy, tangy queso? We'll need a whole new language to talk about Baked Queso Chicken. Listen to your taste buds as you take your first bite. They'll know how to speak it.

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Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), skinless and boneless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, optional, diced
  • 2 cups queso sauce, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves, optional, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -Position an oven rack to the top shelf.

Step 2 -Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 3 -In a large resealable plastic bag, add the chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the cumin, the chili powder, the paprika, the garlic powder, the oregano, the salt, and the pepper.

Step 4 -Press the air out of the bag and seal it tightly.

Step 5 -Press the marinade all around the chicken to coat completely.

Step 6 -Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight in the refrigerator.

Step 7 -In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining oil until it sizzles, about 2 minutes.

Step 8 -Add the chicken to the hot oil and sear until it is browned and almost, but not quite, cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.

Step 9 -Transfer the seared chicken to a plate.

Step 10 -In the same skillet, add the onion, the tomato, and the jalapeño and sauté until soft, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 11 -Add the chicken back to the skillet and top it with the sautéed vegetables.

Step 12 -Spread the queso sauce evenly over each of the chicken breasts.

Step 13 -Bake on the top rack until the queso turns golden-brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 14 -Serve garnished with the cilantro.

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