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Homemade Creamy Saucy Chipotle Chicken photo

Creamy Saucy Chipotle Chicken

This Creamy Saucy Chipotle Chicken is bursting with flavor! Tender chicken in a smoky chipotle sauce, it’s perfect for any weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 whole garlic cloves peeled
  • ½ cup olive oil virgin or extra-virgin
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 3 chipotles in adobo sauce + all the sauce, or to taste
  • 1 14-ounce can diced or crushed tomatoes (See Notes)
  • 2 medium limes juiced
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup white or yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half may be substituted)
  • 1 cup queso fresco optional and to taste
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro finely minced; optional and to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Begin by peeling the garlic cloves and finely dicing the onion. Set these aside as they will be used to build the flavors of the sauce.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the peeled garlic cloves and diced onions. Sauté them until the onions become translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken thighs (or breasts) to the skillet. Season them with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the chipotles in adobo sauce, diced or crushed tomatoes, and lime juice. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to combine, and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. Add the browned chicken back into the skillet, coating it well with the creamy chipotle sauce. Allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together beautifully.
  7. If desired, sprinkle the queso fresco and minced cilantro over the top before serving. This adds a lovely freshness and creaminess to the dish. Serve your Creamy Saucy Chipotle Chicken hot over rice, in tortillas, or with your favorite sides.

Notes

  • Feel free to adjust the number of chipotles based on your heat preference.
  • This dish pairs beautifully with both rice and tortillas, making it versatile for any occasion.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce further.