Description
A flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender chicken smothered in a rich sauce with melted Jack cheese, inspired by Texas cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional: chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add sliced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and green chilies, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- Cover the skillet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove skillet from the oven. Sprinkle shredded Jack cheese over the chicken and sauce.
- Return to the oven, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or your favorite side dishes.
- This dish reheats well and is great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: smothered chicken, Texas chicken, cheese chicken, Tex-Mex, one-pan meal, easy dinner