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Baked Queso Chicken

Baked Queso Chicken

This incredibly simple yet decadent Baked Queso Chicken recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners when you need a flavorful meal that's both satisfying and effortless. It transforms basic chicken into a creamy, cheesy delight that will become a family favorite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies undrained
  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk (or heavy cream for richer sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional garnishes
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • sliced jalapeños
  • tortilla chips
  • avocado

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Medium Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Aluminum Foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can pound them slightly to an even thickness for more consistent cooking. Alternatively, you can cut thicker breasts in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Place the chicken breasts in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
    1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, Salt and black pepper
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the undrained can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, softened cream cheese cubes, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk (or heavy cream), garlic powder, and onion powder.
    1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  3. Whisk all the ingredients for the queso sauce together until the cream cheese is mostly incorporated and the mixture is relatively smooth. Don't worry if there are a few small lumps of cream cheese; they will melt in the oven.
    1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  4. Pour the prepared queso sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish. Ensure each piece of chicken is well-coated with the delicious cheesy mixture.
    1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  5. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is mostly cooked but not yet fully tender.
  6. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the queso sauce is bubbly and slightly golden brown around the edges. You can also broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning if desired, but watch it closely to prevent burning.
  7. Let the Baked Queso Chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute in the chicken and for the sauce to settle slightly.

Notes

This recipe is served with optional garnishes of chopped fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, and avocado.
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