Description
Creamy Poblano Chicken is a rich, comforting skillet dinner featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a smoky poblano cream sauce with fresh herbs and a hint of lime. Perfect for busy weeknights or an easy gourmet-style meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large poblano peppers
- 3 tbsp olive oil or butter, divided
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 large onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock (plus more if needed)
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
- 1 cup packed cilantro leaves
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
For the Rice Pilaf:
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 2 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 cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Poblanos
- Slice one poblano pepper into thin strips.
- Roast the second poblano over a flame or under a broiler until charred on all sides.
- Transfer to a sealed bag or covered bowl and let steam for 10 minutes.
- Peel off the skin, remove seeds, and set aside.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tbsp oil or butter.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove and set aside (it will finish cooking later).
Build the Sauce
- Add remaining oil or butter to the skillet.
- Sauté onions and sliced poblano peppers for about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Blend the Sauce
- In a blender, combine roasted poblano, cilantro, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup chicken stock.
- Blend until smooth.
Finish the Dish
- Pour sauce into the skillet.
- Add remaining stock, cream, lime juice, honey, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Return chicken to skillet, cover, and cook until internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Adjust seasoning and thin sauce with stock if needed.
Make the Rice Pilaf
- Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic for 1–2 minutes.
- Add rice and orzo; toast for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in chicken stock and salt; bring to a boil.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Let steam off heat for 10–15 minutes.
- Fluff and stir in lime juice and cilantro.
Notes
- Roasting the poblano adds deep, smoky flavor—don’t skip it!
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken stock.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for extra juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Mexican Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce + rice
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
