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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Chicken / Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Published August 3, 2020. Last updated August 13, 2020 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce is a spicy, rich, and cheesy dish. The chipotle peppers add a touch of smokiness and the perfect amount of spice, while the added spinach makes this a complete meal on its own. It’s also delicious over pasta or spaghetti squash. The recipe is low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free.

Overhead of chicken in a chipotle sauce in a skillet over a wood background with a blue and white towel

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Having a constant stream of variety and flavor helps to keep things fresh and prevent boredom is important regardless of if you’re following a special diet or not. The chipotle cream sauce in this recipe definitely prevents anyone from complaining about eating chicken…again.

It’s a beautiful, colorful dish with a deep yellow sauce, red chipotle peppers, and green spinach and cilantro.

This isn’t meant to be an authentic Mexican recipe or anything like that, but it definitely has some Mexican flavor to it, especially if you add a little fresh cilantro as garnish. I could definitely see serving Homemade Queso as an appetizer to this meal.

Why This Recipe Works

Like most of my recipes, this one is also very easy and fairly quick to make. It’s perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner and can be made family-friendly with less spice, if needed.

The sauce is pretty much just a basic cream sauce with added chipotle peppers in adobo sauce which add so much flavor and smokiness. There is no flour in the recipe, but the sauce will still be plenty thick enough to coat the chicken and spinach.

This recipe, as written, will result in a meal that has a smoky, cheesy flavor with just enough spice that you might want to keep a cup of water close by.

You can control the amount of spice. Create a milder sauce by removing all of the seeds from the chipotle peppers before adding them to the sauce. For more spice, keep all the seeds in and add another pepper if you want it really hot!

This recipe can be served as is, or over a variety of bases. As is, this recipe is very keto-friendly. To keep the meal low carb, serve it over spaghetti squash. If you’re not low carb or are cooking for people with different dietary needs, you can serve it over traditional pasta (gluten free, if needed) or even sweet potato noodles!

While there is a variety of recipes on Delicious Little Bites, there are quite a few low carb recipes as that is how I usually eat. You can check out the low carb recipe section of my Recipe Index for more ideas. There is also a gluten free section, as well.

How to Make Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce

What You Need To Make This Recipe

Ingredients for chicken with chipotle cream sauce in glass bowls on a white background

To make this recipe, you will need:

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3-4 chipotle peppers, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 ounces spinach (fresh)
  • fresh cilantro, optional

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Cut the chicken into bite-size cubes. Mince the garlic and finely chop the chipotle peppers.

Chef’s Tip: remove some or all of the seeds from the chipotles before dicing them, for a milder sauce.

Create!

Cubes of chicken cooked in a black skillet over a white background

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the skillet. Cook until it is no longer pink in the center, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove to a plate or bowl and set aside.

Chipotle Cream Sauce in a black skillet over a white background

Return the pan to the stovetop and add the butter.

Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.

Add the chipotle peppers and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

Slowly pour in the heavy cream and increase the heat to bring to a boil.

Lower until the cream comes to a simmer, then whisk in the Parmesan cheese until smooth.

Chicken and spinach in a chipotle cream sauce in a black skillet over a white background

Stir the chicken back in, then the spinach, and allow it to cook down until it’s wilted and well combined with the sauce.

Present!

Overhead of chicken with chipotle cream sauce in a skillet with a wood turner over a wood board with a blue and white striped towel partially showing

Garnish with chopped, fresh cilantro, if desired.

Chef’s Tip: you can serve this meal as is, or over spaghetti squash to keep it low carb, or over gluten free or regular pasta for added heartiness.

Tips and Techniques

  • There should be no need to add flour to this recipe. Just be sure to let the cream come to a boil, then lower and let it come to a simmer before whisking in the Parmesan cheese. That should be enough to give you a thick, creamy sauce.
  • If you want a milder sauce, remove the chipotle seeds by cutting the pepper in half and scraping them out with the flat edge of your knife, then mince the remaining pepper. The more seeds you leave in, the spicier the sauce will be.
  • Serve this meal as is, or over spaghetti squash to keep it low carb, or over gluten free or regular pasta for added heartiness.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.

FAQ’s

Can You Freeze Chipotle Cream Sauce?

While you can freeze this sauce, typically freezing cream based sauces will result in a change in consistency and texture once thawed and reheated.

More Chicken Skillet Recipes

Here are a few other chicken skillet meals that you might enjoy:

  • Garlic Chicken Pasta
  • Lemon Garlic Chicken
  • Chicken Enchilada Pasta
  • Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Skillet

Love this Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Overhead of chicken with chipotle cream sauce in a skillet with a wood turner over a wood board with a blue and white striped towel partially showing
Print

Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Chicken with Chipotle Cream Sauce is a spicy, rich, and cheesy dish. The chipotle peppers add a touch of smokiness and the perfect amount of spice, while the added spinach makes this a complete meal on it’s own. It’s also delicious over pasta or spaghetti squash.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 539kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts * cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic * minced
  • 3-4 chipotle peppers with adobo sauce * finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese * grated
  • 4 ounces spinach leaves
  • fresh cilantro * optional garnish

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the skillet. Cook until it is no longer pink in the center, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove to a plate or bowl and set aside.
  • Return the pan to the stovetop and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
  • Add the chipotle peppers and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  • Slowly pour in the heavy cream and increase the heat to bring to a boil. Lower until the cream comes to a simmer. Cook 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  • Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  • Stir the chicken back in and cook 1-2 minutes to re-warm.
  • Add the spinach and cook until wilted and combined well with the sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped, fresh cilantro, if desired.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • There should be no need to add flour to this recipe. Just be sure to let the cream come to a boil, then lower and let it come to a simmer before whisking in the Parmesan cheese. That should be enough to give you a thick, creamy sauce.
  • If you want a milder sauce, remove the chipotle seeds by cutting the pepper in half and scraping them out with the flat edge of your knife, then mince the remaining pepper. The more seeds you leave in, the spicier the sauce will be.
  • Serve this meal as is, or over spaghetti squash to keep it low carb, or over gluten free or regular pasta for added heartiness.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 828mg | Potassium: 585mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3161IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 266mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published on August 16, 2018. It was updated with new images, more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in August 2020.

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Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    January 4, 2023 at 8:57 pm

    This was a hit!! I added more spices to the chicken while it was cooking in the first step to amp up the flavor (i.e. cumin, chili powder, oregano) and it worked great! Next time I may use whole chicken thighs and simmer longer to increase the flavor, but this recipe is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing!!

    Reply
  2. Rose McHale says

    November 4, 2020 at 5:48 am

    Absolutely delicious. I served it over mashed cauliflower for the low carb folks and angel hair pasta for the carb eaters. Very satisfying and packed with flavor.

    Reply
    • Lauren Vavala says

      November 5, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks for your feedback Rose. I love hearing from people who have to accommodate different diets – we have several different dietary needs in my own family so I try to make my recipes as adaptable as possible 🙂

      Glad you enjoyed the recipe!!

      – Lauren

      Reply
  3. Valentina says

    September 9, 2018 at 10:46 pm

    what a delicious looking comfort food meal. the flavors, the richness, the creaminess – oh my. I want it!

    Reply
  4. Amanda says

    September 9, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    You had me at chipotle cream sauce. Gah, that sounds amazing. Can’t wait to try this ASAP!

    Reply
  5. Kelly Anthony says

    September 9, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    Oh my word! These look so incredible!!! I want to try them tonight!

    Reply
  6. Chris Collins says

    September 9, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    Omg chipotle cream sauce sounds AMAZING! Can’t wait to try the recipe 🙂

    Reply
  7. David @ Cooking Chat says

    September 9, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    Love chipotle flavor! Sounds like just the right amount of spice for me. I like the idea of serving over spaghetti squash!

    Reply

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Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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