Chicken with Jalapeno Cheese Sauce

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 05/28/21
Chicken with a cheese sauce

Jason Loucas/Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 55 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 chicken breasts
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
457 Calories
24g Fat
11g Carbs
48g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 457
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g 31%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 150mg 50%
Sodium 448mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 48g
Vitamin C 15mg 75%
Calcium 347mg 27%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 535mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These chicken breasts are baked and then served with a homemade cheese sauce, jalapeno peppers, and nacho chips. Serve this flavorful chicken dish with Quick and Easy Mexican Rice and refried beans or a chunky ​fresh ​salsa for a full and hearty meal.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

  • 2 pepper jalapeño peppers, finely chopped

  • 1 large clove garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, or olive oil

  • 4 boneless chicken breast halves

  • Cooking spray

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or margarine

  • 2 tablespoons flour

  • 1 1/2 cups milk

  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

  • 4 drops hot pepper sauce, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • Black pepper, to taste

  • Jalapeño pepper rings, for garnish

  • Nacho chips, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Combine bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and canola or olive oil. Place chicken breasts in a shallow baking pan sprayed lightly with nonstick cooking spray; add pepper and oil mixture. Bake chicken at 350°F ​uncovered, 20 minutes.

  3. While chicken bakes, melt butter or margarine in saucepan. Add flour and stir for 1 minute. Whisk in milk, stirring until sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in cheddar cheese, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper.

  4. Pour sauce over chicken. Continue baking, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until chicken is done and juices run clear. Remove chicken from oven; turn oven to broil. Return chicken to oven; broil just until lightly browned. Arrange on a serving platter with cheese sauce spooned over chicken breast halves. Garnish with jalapeno pepper rings and nacho chips, if desired.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Recipe Variation

  • Use a dash of ground cayenne pepper instead of hot sauce.