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Cajun chicken in creamy sauce with tomatoes and melted cheese in cast iron skillet garnished with cilantro

Cajun Chicken

Easy skillet Cajun chicken with creamy spicy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners served over rice
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 481

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups chicken broth
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream can substitute half and half
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce Frank's Hot Sauce recommended
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning for sauce
  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning for chicken
  • 3 tablespoons flour for chicken coating
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons flour for roux
  • 10 oz Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies juice reserved
  • 0.75 cup cheddar jack cheese shredded from block
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • fresh cilantro for garnish
  • lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 12-inch cast iron skillet or large skillet
  • Meat tenderizer
  • Large measuring cup with spout
  • Kitchen tongs
  • Silicone spatula

Method
 

  1. Drain and reserve the juice from the Rotel tomatoes (about ¼ cup). Combine all sauce ingredients (chicken broth, heavy cream, honey, hot sauce, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, brown sugar, mustard powder, oregano, cayenne, and red pepper flakes) in a large measuring cup and set aside.
  2. Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thinner pieces total. Cover with plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet to ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning, then sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour over the surface and rub it in.
  3. Heat 1-2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until a golden crust develops. Remove and set aside on a plate.
  4. Add reserved tomato juice to the hot skillet and scrape the bottom with a silicone spatula to release browned bits. Add butter and minced garlic, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour and cook continuously for 2 minutes until the raw flour smell is gone and mixture turns slightly golden. Add the sauce mixture in small splashes while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
  6. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Add drained tomatoes and simmer for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens, coats the back of a spoon, and reduces by about one-third in volume.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Slowly add shredded cheese about ¼ cup at a time while stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Stir in lime juice.
  8. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over top. Simmer uncovered for 4 minutes. Add lime wedges and simmer 1 more minute. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve over rice.

Notes

For less heat, use 1 teaspoon hot sauce and omit cayenne and red pepper flakes. Can substitute regular diced tomatoes for Rotel. Shred cheese from block for best melting. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.