Description
Chicken Crema is a rich and creamy skillet dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with sautéed vegetables and a luscious blend of heavy cream, sour cream, and smoky chipotle puree. This flavorful recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and satisfying.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh garlic, chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lb), sliced in half widthwise to make 8 pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 4 oz heavy cream
- 4 oz sour cream
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1-3 tsp chipotle puree (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Other
- Oil for drizzling (vegetable or olive oil recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat Skillet: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the vegetables and chicken evenly.
- Sauté Vegetables: Drizzle oil into the hot skillet, then add the sliced onions, red bell peppers, and chopped garlic. Cook until they soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue cooking for a few more minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a separate bowl to set aside.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry if needed and season all pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper evenly on both sides.
- Brown Chicken: Add a bit more oil to the skillet if necessary. Place the chicken pieces into the skillet and cook over medium heat, browning them on both sides to develop flavor, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: While the chicken is browning, mix together the heavy cream, sour cream, paprika, chipotle puree (from 1 to 3 teaspoons depending on heat preference), and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the cream sauce over the browned chicken in the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken.
- Add Vegetables and Serve: Stir the sautéed vegetables back into the skillet to warm through. Serve the Chicken Crema directly from the skillet or transfer to a serving platter for family-style dining.
Notes
- Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safety.
- Adjust chipotle puree quantity based on desired spice level; start small if unsure.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though sauce will be less rich.
- Serve with rice, crusty bread, or over pasta to complete the meal.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
