This Creamy Chipotle Chicken is a one pan wonder that's cheesy, deliciously creamy, undeniably tender, and packed with protein.
Every time I include this Creamy Chipotle Chicken in a Mexican spread, people rave and press me for the recipe. Now I'm happy to share it here with you, our readers. I came across a version of this recipe a few years ago, and have tweaked it over time to make it my own.
Check out the section by Jen, our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, which explains why the Creamy Chipotle Chicken recipe is recommended for individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes.
Ingredients for Creamy Chipotle Chicken
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: This sauce is a little rich, so I prefer to use lean chicken breasts for this recipe.
- Butter: The secret to tender, juicy chicken breast cooked in a skillet is, in fact, butter. Make sure it doesn't brown by keeping the temperature on medium.
- Chicken Bone Broth: Higher in protein than regular chicken broth.
- Tomato Paste: A little tomato paste goes a long way in adding flavor and richness to the sauce.
- Chipotle Powder: (affiliate link) Smoky and slightly sweet, chipotle powder is made from dried jalapeños, so it adds a good bit of spice.
- Smoked Paprika: (affiliate link) Also smoky, but much milder than chipotle powder, smoked paprika is made with dried and smoked red peppers. If you don't like smoky flavors, you can substitute all the chipotle powder and smoked paprika with sweet paprika.
Ingredients continued:
- Garlic Powder: We're keeping it simple by using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Ground Cumin: A staple spice in my pantry, ground cumin adds an earthy flavor layer to the Creamy Chipotle Chicken.
- Salt: As always, I use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt in all my recipes. Because it's less salty than regular kosher or table salt, be sure to adjust accordingly.
- Greek Yogurt: While many Mexican recipes call for sour cream or Mexican crema, we're going to use protein rich Greek yogurt instead. We love the creamy texture and taste of Fage brand Greek yogurt.
- Cheddar Cheese: I always go for sharp cheddar cheese, but any cheddar version will work. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack are good alternatives to cheddar. Use block cheese to avoid additives.
How to Make Creamy Chipotle Chicken
- Start by patting the chicken dry and cutting it into bite-size pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and set aside.
- Combine all the spices and salt in a small bowl.
- Add the spices to the chicken and toss to coat.
- Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet set over medium heat until it starts to bubble slightly.
- Add the chicken to the skillet, spreading it out to ensure even cooking. Move the chicken periodically to ensure even cooking.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add the chicken broth and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
- Add the Greek yogurt and the shredded cheese, stir thoroughly and cook for about one minute, or until the cheese has melted. Overcooking at this point may cause the yogurt to separate, so watch it closely.
Common Questions
You can use skinless, boneless thighs, but since this recipe is already a bit rich, we prefer to use breast for a lower calorie version.
Swap out the chipotle powder with smoked paprika if you still want the smoky flavor. If you don't like smoky foods, use regular sweet paprika instead.
Be sure to add the yogurt at the very end and lower the burner to low. Stir the mixture thoroughly and only heat the mixture enough to melt the cheese (about 1 minute). Then, immediately remove it from the heat.
Absolutely. We love having a container of this chicken in the refrigerator to add to salads or bowls during the week.
I prefer to place the chicken in a skillet set over medium-low heat, and stir constantly until heated through. You can also heat the chicken in the microwave until heated through. The yogurt may separate when reheating, but just give the chicken a good stir – it is still safe to eat.
It will keep refrigerated for 4-5 days.
This recipe is not ideal for freezing as the sauce will separate once thawed.
Ideas for Serving Creamy Chipotle Chicken
- Serve with a simple salad of mixed greens with avocado slices and toasted pumpkin seeds with our Cilantro Lime Greek Yogurt Dressing
- Sub this chicken for the baked chicken in our Southwest Chicken Salad recipe
- Make a bowl with Creamy Chipotle Chicken, ¼ cup of cooked quinoa, and ½ cup of black beans.
- Make a Mexican style lettuce wrap by placing Creamy Chipotle Chicken in a lettuce leaf topped with avocado slices and sliced scallions
We hope you enjoy this easy Creamy Chipotle Chicken recipe. If you make it, please be sure to leave a comment and review below. And if you love this recipe, please share it with friends and family!
Recipe
Creamy Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup chicken bone broth
- 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Salt
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup Greek yogurt regular or low-fat
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and set aside.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a small bowl, combine all of the spices including the salt.1 tbsp chipotle powder, ½ tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp Diamond Crystal Salt
- Add the spices to the chicken and mix until all of the pieces are coated.
- Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until it starts to bubble slightly.2 tbsp butter
- Add the chicken to the skillet, spreading it out to ensure even cooking. Move the chicken periodically to cook evenly.
- Lower the heat on your stove to medium-low and add the chicken broth and tomato paste. Stir to combine, approximately 2 minutes.½ cup chicken bone broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Add the Greek yogurt and the shredded cheese, stir thoroughly and cook for about one minute, or until the cheese has melted. Overcooking at this point may cause the yogurt to separate, so watch it closely½ cup Greek yogurt, ½ cup cheddar cheese
Nutrition
Dietitian Approved by Jen Birge MS, RDN, CDCES
The Creamy Chipotle Chicken is another recipe that proves you don't have to give up flavor when choosing meals that are glucose-friendly.
Each serving provides 32 grams of protein with only 5 grams of carbs. You can keep the dish low carb by eating the chicken with a salad full of non-starchy veggies. If you add carbs, choose higher fiber carbs that will help keep your glucose levels stable.
And, if you need ideas for adding fiber to this dish, check out Jackelin's section on ideas for serving the Creamy Chipotle Chicken. They all include some fiber. Enjoy another delicious recipe by Jackelin!
We Love Your Feedback
If you try and enjoy this dish, please leave us a comment and review below. Your comments really do help us grow!
And, let us know if you have any recipe requests for meals. We love hearing from you!
Charles Birge says
My mom made it for me and it is delicious, filling and super high in protein. Definitely a great meal!
Jen Birge, MS, RDN, CDCES says
Thanks Charlie!