Creamy Poblano Chicken
This Creamy Poblano Chicken is packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying. The poblano sauce is rich, creamy, and slightly spicy, while the chicken stays tender and juicy. It is a wonderful way to switch up your weeknight dinner routine. Serve it with rice or pasta to soak up every bit of the flavorful sauce.
If you enjoy creamy, savory sauces with a mild kick, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. The poblano peppers provide subtle heat and plenty of flavor, while the jalapeño adds an extra touch of spice. Cream and chicken broth bring everything together into a smooth, velvety sauce.
Poblano peppers are especially delicious when blended into a sauce, adding a flavorful green chile taste that can make a simple chicken dinner feel extra special.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Poblano Chiles: You will need 2 medium poblano chiles or about 1 ½ large ones.
Onion: Onion adds a slightly sweet flavor to the sauce. Red or yellow onion both work well. You can leave it out if you prefer.
Jalapeño Pepper: Half of a jalapeño with the seeds will give the dish a mild amount of heat. For less spice, remove the seeds. You can also leave the jalapeño out completely for a milder dish.
Butter: Butter is used to cook the vegetables and chicken. Your favorite cooking oil can be used instead if preferred.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but you can substitute about ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder if needed.
Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the creamy sauce. Cornstarch can also be used as a thickener.
Chicken Broth: Chicken broth forms the flavorful base of the poblano sauce. Vegetable broth or stock can also be used. Beef broth is not recommended because it can change the flavor of the sauce.
Heavy Cream: Heavy cream gives the sauce its rich and velvety texture. Half-and-half or milk can be substituted, although the sauce will be lighter and less creamy.
Chicken Breast: Chicken thighs can also be used. The cooking time should be similar when using thinly sliced chicken breasts. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
White Rice: Rice is a great base because it absorbs the creamy poblano sauce. Penne or fettuccine pasta are also delicious alternatives.
Seasoning: The chicken is seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. Avoid strongly colored spices such as chili powder, as they can affect the green color of the poblano sauce.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Poblano Chicken
Step 1 | Cook the rice: Prepare the rice according to the package instructions, then set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Step 2 | Make the poblano sauce: Sauté the onions, poblano peppers, and jalapeño in butter until softened. Add the garlic, chicken broth, cream, and flour, then blend everything until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 3 | Prepare the chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 4 | Cook the chicken: Heat butter in a skillet and sear the seasoned chicken cutlets until golden brown and fully cooked.
Step 5 | Combine with sauce: Pour the blended poblano sauce over the cooked chicken. Let everything simmer for about 8–10 minutes so the chicken can absorb the flavors and the sauce can come together.
Step 6 | Serve: Spoon the creamy poblano chicken over a bed of rice and generously top it with the poblano sauce.
Tips
Chicken Thickness: If you slice the chicken breasts in half, try to make the cutlets as evenly thin as possible so they cook at the same rate. You can also save time by purchasing pre-cut thinly sliced chicken breasts.
Common Questions
Is this dish spicy?
The dish has a mild amount of heat from the poblano and jalapeño peppers. You can easily adjust the spice level by removing the jalapeño seeds or leaving the jalapeño out entirely.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes. The poblano sauce can be prepared a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to make the meal, simply reheat the sauce and prepare the chicken.
