Description
Creamy Chicken & Spinach Creamy Poblano Bake delivers smoky, velvety flavor with tender seared chicken, roasted poblano peppers, and a creamy cilantro-lime sauce. Paired with a fragrant rice pilaf, it makes a complete and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
2 large poblano peppers
3 tbsp olive oil or butter, divided
4 chicken breasts
1/2 large onion, sliced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
1 cup packed cilantro leaves
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
1/2 small onion, diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup jasmine rice
1/4 cup orzo
1 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
1. Slice one poblano pepper into thin strips
2. Roast the second poblano pepper until charred, then steam in a sealed bag for 10 minutes, peel and remove seeds
3. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil or butter in a large skillet, season chicken with salt and pepper, and sear until golden brown, set aside
4. Sauté sliced onion and poblano strips in remaining oil for 5 minutes, then add minced garlic for 1 minute
5. Blend roasted poblano pepper with cilantro, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup chicken stock until smooth
6. Pour blended pepper mixture into skillet with vegetables, add remaining chicken stock, cream, lime juice, honey, and remaining salt
7. Return chicken to skillet, cover, and simmer until chicken reaches 165°F, adjust sauce consistency with additional stock if needed
8. Prepare rice pilaf: sauté onion and garlic in butter, toast rice and orzo 2-3 minutes, add chicken stock, salt, lime juice, simmer 15 minutes, let steam 10-15 minutes
9. Fluff rice, stir in chopped cilantro, season with salt and pepper
10. Serve chicken over rice pilaf and drizzle with creamy poblano sauce
Notes
Roast poblano peppers evenly for best flavor
Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing chicken
Add extra chicken stock if sauce thickens
Rice pilaf can be reheated separately to maintain texture
Garnish with fresh cilantro for presentation
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake & Sauté
- Cuisine: Mexican