Description
Spicy Cajun chicken skillet delivers bold Louisiana-style flavors with minimal kitchen effort. Hearty ingredients combine for a quick, satisfying meal you can enjoy without complicated preparation techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 oz (283 g) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, juice reserved
- ¾ cup (170 g) cheddar jack cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning (for chicken)
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (for sauce)
- 3 tbsps flour
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken broth
- ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream (or half and half)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1–2 tbsps olive or avocado oil
- 3 tbsps butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Lime wedges
- Freshly chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Tomato Preparation: Drain Rotel tomatoes, reserving liquid for sauce development, ensuring maximum flavor extraction.
- Seasoning and Coating: Create a dynamic flour blend, thoroughly dredging chicken pieces to establish a flavorful protective layer.
- Searing Process: Heat skillet to high temperature, strategically browning chicken to lock in moisture and develop rich caramelized exterior, then transfer to a holding area.
- Sauce Foundation: Deglaze skillet with reserved tomato juice, extracting concentrated pan remnants while creating an intensely flavored liquid base.
- Roux Development: Introduce butter and garlic, whisking in flour to construct a velvety thickening agent, carefully preventing any luminal formations.
- Sauce Composition: Gradually blend sauce components, maintaining consistent stirring to achieve a smooth, luxurious consistency with balanced flavor profile.
- Final Integration: Incorporate cheese and lime juice, reducing sauce until it reaches optimal thickness, then gently reintroduce chicken to absorb intricate flavor nuances.
- Presentation: Artfully plate chicken, generously draping with vibrant sauce, completing the dish with fresh cilantro and zesty lime wedges for a bright, dynamic finish.
Notes
- Drain Strategically: Reserve Rotel tomato liquid for an intensely flavored sauce base.
- Flour Coating Technique: Use seasoned flour for an even, golden-brown chicken exterior that seals in moisture.
- Sauce Building Secrets: Create a smooth roux by whisking flour continuously and gradually incorporating liquid to prevent lumps.
- Flavor Layering Method: Add cheese and lime juice at the end to create a rich, zesty sauce that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg