Description
A quick, creamy, and savory weeknight dinner featuring seared chicken breasts in a rich Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese sauce, ready in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp or medium cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of butter. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add minced garlic and stir for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream if using.
- Turn off the heat. Add shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. Stir gently until melted and smooth.
- Return chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Let sit for 1 minute to warm through. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Notes
Pound chicken evenly for uniform cooking. Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream. Can be served over rice, with mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: cheesy monterey chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meals, chicken recipe, 15 minute dinner, comfort food, gluten-free dinner