The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication, making it accessible for home cooks while delivering restaurant-quality results.
Ingredients Required
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 medium bell peppers, thinly sliced (use a combination of red, green, or yellow for best results)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 large avocado, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges
Chop up some avocado and add some pico-de-gallo for a salad that is fantastic with Chicken Laredo! This all comes together in one skillet with the most mouthwatering, super crispy chicken breasts you’ve ever tasted — golden on the outside and deliciously tender and juicy inside. It is seated in a medley of sizzling sautéed onions and bright colored bell peppers, turning this into an eye-popping rainbow that rivals its flavor. Loaded with a rich blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, this next-level plate features luxurious avocado slices, aromatic cilantro, and tangy lime juice that makes all the flavors POP!
What Makes Chicken Laredo Special?
Chicken Laredo is a one-skillet Tex-Mex dish featuring seasoned chicken breasts with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and melted cheese. It takes just 40 minutes total (15 minutes prep, 25 minutes cooking) and serves 4 people with medium difficulty level. The recipe combines bold Southwestern flavors with simple cooking techniques, topped with fresh avocado, cilantro, and lime. This weeknight-friendly meal delivers restaurant-quality results using 15 carefully selected ingredients in a single oven-safe skillet.
Why Choose Chicken Laredo?
With just 15 minutes of prep time and a quick bake in the oven, Chicken Laredo stands out as a flavor-packed, weeknight-friendly meal that’s both easy and delicious. This recipe is ideal for fans of Southwestern cuisine who want to create a stunning centerpiece that can be served alongside rice, tortillas, or a crisp side salad. For those with dietary restrictions, this dish can easily be adapted to complement other healthy options like a gluten free chicken salad for a complete meal. The dish boasts an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 satisfied home cooks and maintains a Nutriscore rating of 70 out of 100, making it a balanced choice for family dinners.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these detailed step-by-step cooking instructions to achieve perfect results every time.
Preparation Phase
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step ensures optimal cooking temperature for the final baking stage and helps achieve even heat distribution throughout the dish.
Chicken Preparation
Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking. This technique ensures that all pieces cook evenly and remain juicy throughout the process. Season both sides generously with chili powder, cumin, salt, and ground black pepper, making sure to coat the meat thoroughly for maximum flavor penetration.
Initial Cooking
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden brown color. The searing process locks in the flavors and creates an appealing visual that makes the dish even more appetizing. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily while preparing the vegetables.
Vegetable Preparation
Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once the butter has melted completely, add the thinly sliced onion and bell peppers to the pan. Sauté these vegetables for 5-7 minutes until they become tender and develop a slight caramelization. This process adds incredible depth to the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Aromatics Addition
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until the mixture becomes wonderfully fragrant. This step is crucial because garlic can burn quickly if overcooked, so timing is essential for the best results.
Final Assembly
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them comfortably within the sautéed vegetables. Top each chicken breast with a generous mixture of shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, ensuring even coverage for optimal melting.
Oven Finishing
Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The chicken is properly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety and perfect doneness.
Garnishing and Serving
Remove the skillet from the oven and immediately garnish the chicken with fresh avocado slices and chopped cilantro. Add a squeeze of lime juice over the top, then serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor that brightens the entire dish.
Nutritional Information
This recipe provides substantial nutritional value with a total of 2,982 calories for the entire dish when served among four people. The macronutrient breakdown includes 283.4 grams of protein, 76.0 grams of carbohydrates, and 175.4 grams of fat. The dish is particularly rich in calcium (141% daily value) and protein (567% daily value), while also providing significant amounts of potassium and iron that support overall health and wellness.
Cooking Tips for Success
Taking time with each step ensures the best results possible. Reading through all ingredients before starting to cook helps maintain a smooth preparation flow from start to finish. The key to perfect Chicken Laredo lies in proper seasoning, adequate searing of the chicken, and careful timing of the vegetable sauté process.
This Tex-Mex inspired dish combines the comfort of a one-skillet meal with exciting flavors reminiscent of Southwestern cuisine, making it an ideal choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. While other international chicken dishes like chicken bibimbap require multiple components and longer preparation time, Chicken Laredo delivers complex flavors through its simple one-pan approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I Prepare Chicken Laredo Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the seasoned chicken and sliced vegetables in advance. However, it’s best to complete the final assembly and baking just before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Q: What Can I substitute for Monterey Jack Cheese?
You can use pepper jack cheese for extra heat, or substitute with mozzarella or Colby cheese for a milder flavor profile.
Q: How do I know When the Chicken is fully Cooked?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
