Quick & Creamy Poblano Chicken Recipe That’s Simply Magical

Poblano peppers bring a magical twist to ordinary chicken dishes, crafting them into something extraordinary.

These dark green beauties pack a subtle heat that dances delicately across your palate.

Mexican cuisine celebrates the rich, smoky essence of poblanos, which contribute depth and complexity to countless recipes.

Their mild spiciness offers a gentle warmth without overwhelming the senses.

creamy sauces enhance the pepper’s natural flavors, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and excitement.

Tender chicken becomes a canvas for these remarkable peppers, absorbing their distinctive character and nuanced taste.

Home cooks can elevate weeknight dinners with this simple yet sophisticated combination.

Creamy Poblano Chicken That’s Packed with Heat and Flavor

• Flame-Roasted Flavor Boost: Roasting poblano peppers over an open flame creates a smoky, deep flavor that transforms the entire dish with minimal extra effort.
• Creamy Comfort with a Kick: The silky sauce combines roasted poblano's mild heat with cream, delivering a luxurious texture that coats the chicken perfectly without overwhelming spiciness.
• One-Skillet Wonder: This recipe minimizes cleanup by using the same skillet for searing chicken, sautéing vegetables, and simmering the final sauce, making it ideal for busy home cooks wanting delicious meals without extensive kitchen work.
• Balanced Meal in Minutes: The complete dish comes together in about 30 minutes, offering a restaurant-quality meal with a homemade pilaf that's both sophisticated and approachable for weeknight dinners.

What You Need for This Spicy Chicken Dish

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates the base of the dish, choose fresh and high-quality cuts for best flavor and texture.

• Poblano Peppers: Mild chili peppers with a rich, slightly smoky flavor, essential for creating the dish's signature taste and providing depth.

• Onions, Garlic: Classic flavor base that adds depth and complexity to the dish, select fresh and firm for maximum taste.

• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides bright, zesty notes and authentic Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Chicken Stock: Provides moisture and rich background flavor for the sauce and pilaf.
• Cream: Adds luxurious richness and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Lime Juice: Introduces bright, tangy element that balances the creamy sauce.

• Orzo, Rice: Complementary grains that create a versatile and textured side dish, select high-quality varieties for best results.

• Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps balance the sauce's flavors.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Provides cooking fat and contributes to overall richness of the dish.

How to Cook Poblano Chicken Without a Fuss

Step 1: Prepare Poblano Peppers

• Slice 1 poblano pepper into thin strips
• Roast another poblano pepper over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened on all sides
• Place roasted pepper in a bag or bowl to steam
• Peel and remove seeds from roasted pepper

Step 2: Sear Chicken

• Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat
• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper
• Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides
• Set chicken aside

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

• In the same skillet, add remaining oil or butter
• Sauté onions and raw poblano strips until softened
• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Blend roasted poblano with
• Cilantro
• salt
• chicken stock
• Pour blended mixture into skillet
• Add remaining stock, cream, lime juice, honey, and salt
• Bring to a simmer

Step 5: Finish Chicken

• Return chicken to skillet
• Cover and simmer until chicken is fully cooked
• Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper

Step 6: Prepare Orzo Pilaf

• Heat butter in a saucepan
• Sauté onions and garlic
• Add orzo and rice
• Toast ingredients slightly
• Pour in stock
• Simmer covered
• Finish with lime juice and cilantro

Serve hot and enjoy the creamy poblano chicken with flavorful pilaf!

Tips for Creamy Sauce and Tender Chicken

• Char Poblanos Perfectly: Roast peppers directly over an open flame or under the broiler, turning frequently to ensure even blackening without burning.
• Prevent Tough Chicken: Sear chicken breasts at medium-high heat to lock in moisture, creating a golden crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast orzo and rice briefly before adding stock to enhance their nutty undertones and create a more complex pilaf base.
• Create Silky Sauce: Blend roasted poblano with cilantro and stock until completely smooth for a luxurious, velvety sauce without lumps.
• Balance Heat and Sweetness: Use honey sparingly to counteract the poblano's heat, creating a harmonious blend of spicy and sweet flavors in the final dish.

How to Reheat Without Losing Creaminess

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep pilaf separately to maintain its texture.
• Reheating: Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Microwave pilaf for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
• Freezing: Wrap chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Avoid refreezing to maintain quality and food safety.

What Works Well on the Side

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the creamy poblano sauce with a tangy margarita made from fresh lime juice, tequila, and a salt rim to echo the dish's bright, citrusy notes.
• Match with Fresh Mexican Slaw: Create a crisp side salad with shredded cabbage, lime juice, cilantro, and a touch of honey to balance the rich, creamy chicken and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Crisp White Wine: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with bright acidity that cuts through the cream and matches the poblano's mild heat, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Accompany with Cilantro-Lime Rice Pilaf: Elevate the side dish by adding extra lime zest and fresh cilantro to the rice, creating a harmonious connection with the main course's vibrant flavors.

Try These Twists on the Original Dish

• Spicy Mexican Fusion: Replace poblano with jalapeños or serrano peppers for an extra kick, adding diced green chilies for more heat and complexity.
• Creamy Coconut Tropical: Swap cream with coconut milk, adding a splash of mango puree and using coconut rice instead of orzo pilaf for a Caribbean-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Splash: Substitute poblanos with roasted bell peppers, incorporate oregano and thyme, use feta cheese instead of cream, and serve over herb-infused quinoa for a Mediterranean approach.
• Green Chile Verde Style: Increase roasted poblano quantity, add tomatillos to the sauce, include ground cumin, and serve over Mexican-style rice for an authentic green chile chicken preparation.

Creamy Poblano Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy poblano chicken brings Mexican-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners with rich, spicy flavors. Tender chicken nestles in a luscious sauce of roasted poblano peppers, creating a satisfying meal that delivers warmth and zest you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts

Peppers and Aromatics:

• 2 large poblano peppers
• ½ large onion, sliced
• ½ small onion, diced
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil or butter, divided
• 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken stock, plus more if needed
• ¾ teaspoon (4 g) kosher salt, divided
• 1 cup (240 ml) packed cilantro leaves
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey

Rice Pilaf Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) butter or olive oil
• ½ cup (120 ml) jasmine rice
• ¼ cup (60 ml) orzo (regular or whole-wheat)
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) low-sodium chicken stock
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lime juice
• ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Prepare poblano peppers by slicing one into thin strips and roasting the other directly over an open flame or under a broiler until completely charred and blackened.
2. Transfer the roasted poblano to a sealed plastic bag or covered bowl, allowing it to steam for 10-15 minutes, which will help loosen the skin for easy peeling.
3. Carefully peel the steamed poblano, remove seeds, and set aside for sauce preparation.
4. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
5. Heat of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a hot cooking surface.
6. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and develop a crisp exterior, then transfer to a temporary plate.
7. In the same skillet, add remaining oil or butter, then sauté sliced raw poblano strips and diced onions until they become translucent and slightly softened.
8. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 45-60 seconds, releasing its aromatic qualities.
9. Combine roasted poblano, fresh cilantro, salt, and chicken stock in a blender, processing until completely smooth.
10. Pour the poblano mixture back into the skillet, incorporating remaining stock, heavy cream, lime juice, honey, and additional salt.
11. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld and slightly thicken.
12. Carefully return seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce, and cover to ensure even cooking.
13. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
14. For the accompanying pilaf, melt butter in a separate saucepan and sauté finely chopped onions and garlic until fragrant.
15. Add orzo and rice, gently toasting grains to enhance their nutty flavor.
16. Pour in chicken stock, cover, and simmer until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed.
17. Finish pilaf with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.
18. Taste and adjust seasoning of both chicken and pilaf with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Notes

• Char poblano peppers completely for deeper, smokier flavor that transforms the entire dish’s taste profile.
• Searing chicken creates a golden crust that locks in moisture and adds rich caramelized notes to the final sauce.
• Blending roasted poblano with cilantro creates a vibrant green sauce base that infuses the chicken with authentic Mexican-inspired flavors.
• Use fresh lime juice at the end to brighten the creamy sauce and balance the richness of cream and honey.
• Toast orzo and rice briefly before adding liquid to enhance nutty undertones and prevent soggy texture in the pilaf.
• Keep chicken covered while simmering to ensure tender, juicy meat that absorbs the fragrant poblano cream sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 559 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 640 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg