Description
A quick, delicious, and fuss-free dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs cooked in one pan with melty cheddar cheese and spicy jalapenos. This cheesy, flavorful dish is perfect for weeknights, offering minimal cleanup, customizable heat, and a creamy, satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Spices and Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 fresh jalapenos, sliced (seeds removed for milder heat)
Cheese and Finishing Touches
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Juice of 1 lime
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh cilantro or green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them generously with salt, pepper, and onion powder to create a flavorful base.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until just cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and jalapenos: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced jalapenos. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for added flavor.
- Add cheese and chicken back to the pan: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top. Cover the pan and let cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
- Finish with lime juice and serve: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the cheesy jalapeno chicken. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, then serve hot straight from the pan for an easy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Don’t skip searing to develop a caramelized crust and deeper flavor.
- Control the spice by removing jalapeno seeds to reduce heat.
- Cover the pan while melting cheese for even cooking.
- Add fresh lime juice at the end to brighten and balance the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with cheese
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: one pan chicken, cheesy jalapeno chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, spicy chicken, gluten free dinner
