Crunchy Southwest Chicken with Cheesy Monterey Sauce

Certainly! Here’s a detailed recipe for Oven Fried Chicken Monterey, a delightful dish packed with flavors of the Southwest. 🍗🧀

Oven Fried Chicken Monterey

Description:

Make and share this Oven Fried Chicken Monterey recipe from lovewithrecipes.com.

Recipe Information:

Category: Chicken
Keywords: Poultry, Meat, Southwestern U.S., Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Servings: 8
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Quantity	Ingredient
1/4 cup	Flour
1	Chicken thighs
16 oz	Butter
1/4 cup	Tortilla chips
1	Onion
2 tbsp	Flour
1 cup	Evaporated milk
2 tsp	Tabasco sauce
1 cup	Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup	Pitted ripe olives
1 tbsp	Lemon juice
1 head	Lettuce

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 607.8
Fat: 44.4g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 199.1mg
Sodium: 352.3mg
Carbohydrates: 10.4g
Fiber: 0.6g
Sugar: 0.4g
Protein: 40.1g

Instructions:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare Chicken: In a shallow dish, combine 1/4 cup of flour with your favorite taco mix.
Coat Chicken: Shake the chicken thighs in the flour and taco mix mixture until they are evenly coated.
Prepare Pan: Melt the butter in a 15½ X 10½ X 2 inch baking pan.
Coat Chicken Again: Place the coated chicken pieces in the pan, turning them to ensure they are coated with butter.
Crumb Coating: Remove the chicken pieces from the pan and coat them in crushed tortilla chip crumbs.
Return to Pan: Place the chicken pieces back into the baking pan.
Bake: Bake the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for about 50 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Make Cheese Sauce: While the chicken is baking, prepare the delicious cheese sauce. Begin by sautéing finely chopped onion in a bit of oil until they are soft and translucent.
Thicken Sauce: Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and cook for a minute to form a roux.
Add Milk and Flavor: Gradually add in 1 cup of evaporated milk and 2 teaspoons of Tabasco sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens.
Cheesy Goodness: Once the sauce has thickened, add in 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, pitted ripe olives, and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Serve: To serve, line a serving dish with fresh lettuce leaves. Place the oven-fried chicken thighs on top of the lettuce.
Sauce it Up: Spoon a generous amount of the warm cheese sauce over the chicken thighs.
Garnish: Garnish with additional olives, if desired, and serve with the remaining cheese sauce on the side.

Enjoy!

This Oven Fried Chicken Monterey is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want a taste of the Southwest in the comfort of your home. Serve it up with some rice, a fresh salad, or even some roasted veggies for a complete meal. The crispy chicken, paired with the creamy cheese sauce, is sure to be a hit with family and friends alike! 😋🍽️