Chicken in Creamy Chipotle Sauce (Pollo en Crema de Chipotle)

Chicken thighs in a beautiful, velvety creamy chipotle sauce is something you’ll want to make any day of the week. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, feeding the family, having friends over, or trying to impress someone special, this dish never disappoints. It’s rich, smoky, spicy, and full of deep, savory flavor.

Chicken in creamy chipotle sauce or pollo en crema de chipotle as it’s called in Mexico, is one of my favorite ways to prepare and eat chicken. I love the creamy chipotle sauce, it really elevates the flavor of the chicken! Honestly, I could probably eat just the sauce and be completely happy. This sauce is made with Mexican creama, chipotle chiles, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. These ingredients come together to create a fantastic sauce that is beautiful to look at and also a pleasure to taste.

This chicken in creamy chipotle sauce is perfect served with a side of rice, vegetables, or beans. The best part is, it’s quicker to make than you might think!

What is Pollo en Crema de Chipotle?

Pollo en crema de chipotle is a Mexican dish made with chicken, Mexican crema, and chipotle chiles as the main ingredients. This is more of a modern dish in Mexican cuisine and not as traditional as other chicken dishes like enchiladas, chicken tinga, or chicken in mole. It might not be as well known or popular outside of Mexico, but it’s definitely a tasty dish you’ll enjoy making.

The rest of the ingredients for this recipe include tomatoes, onion, garlic, and water. The tomatoes provide a bit of sweetness, the onion and garlic a bit of aroma, and the water is to thin the sauce a bit and to help when blending or pureeing ingredients. The sauce is what really makes this dish amazing, it’s creamy, savory, spicy, and with a touch of sweetness from the tomatoes. This dish looks and feels luxurious, but at the same time is quick and simple to make!

What Cuts of Chicken to Use?

I have made this recipe with both chicken breast and chicken thighs. I like both cuts, though they each provide different textures and flavors. The chicken breast is more meaty and can be juicier. The thighs have more fat and connective tissue, which results in extra flavorful, tender chicken that doesn’t overcook as easily. This recipe is made with chicken thighs, but both cuts of chicken work excellent for this recipe and are equally delicious!

How to make Chicken in Creamy Chipotle Sauce

1. Add tomatoes, chile chipotles, adobo, onion, garlic, and water to a blender. Blend until smooth. 
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large pan.
3. While the pan is preheating, season chicken thighs with salt.
4. Add chicken thighs to the pan over medium heat and sear for about 5 to 7 minutes per side.
5. Once the chicken is seared, remove the chicken thighs and set aside.
6. Add the tomato and chipotle sauce to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape off the browned bits on the bottom of the pan for about 2 minutes.
7. Reduce the heat to low and add the crema. Stir and mix into the sauce, until it turns an orange color.
8. Add chicken thighs back into the pan and simmer partially covered for about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and at your preferred tenderness (See notes). The internal temperature should reach to at least 175°F for chicken thighs.
9. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley leaves and enjoy!
   

Tips and Suggestions

1. If you prefer a less spicy sauce, use 1 chipotle chile or use just the adobo. 
2. For even more tender chicken thighs, simmer until internal temperature reaches 185°F to 195°F. 

How to Store Chicken in Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Chicken in creamy chipotle sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store in an airtight container.

How To Reheat Chicken in Creamy Chipotle Sauce

To reheat this dish, add the leftovers to a pan and add a little water to the pan. The water will help generate steam. Cook on medium low or medium heat, covered for about 5 to 10 minutes or until warmed through.

What to Serve Your Chicken in Creamy Chipotle Sauce With?

Chicken in creamy chipotle sauce can be served with a side of rice, vegetables, or beans. I like to eat this dish with a side of steamed rice or Mexican rice, as well as a side of Mexican calabacitas. For some fresh contrast and fresh flavor, I like to garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley leaves. This makes a delicious and beautiful meal!

I hope you enjoy this chicken in creamy chipotle sauce recipe. Please let me know in the comments below if you make it and how it went.

Gracias y provecho!

Raul

Chicken in Creamy Chipotle Sauce (Pollo en Crema de Chipotle)

Chicken in creamy chipotle sauce (Pollo en crema de chipotle) is a creamy, spicy, smoky, and savory dish. It's made with chicken, chipotle chiles, Mexican crema, tomatoes, onion, and garlic.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb boneless & skinless chicken thighs
• 2 roma tomatoes
• 1/4 white onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 chipotle chiles in adobo plus 1 tbsp of the adobo
• 1/2 cup Mexican crema
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp avocado, canola, or vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

Method

 

1. Add the tomatoes, chile chipotles, adobo, onion, garlic, and water to a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large pan.
3. While the pan is preheating, season chicken thighs with salt.
4. Add chicken thighs to the pan over medium heat and sear for about 5 to 7 minutes per side.
5. Once the chicken is seared, remove the chicken thighs and set aside.
6. Add the tomato and chipotle sauce to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape off the browned bits on the bottom of the pan for about 2 minutes.
7. Reduce the heat to low and add the crema. Stir and mix into the sauce, until it turns an orange color.
8. Add chicken thighs back into the pan and simmer partially covered for about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and at your preferred tenderness (See notes). The internal temperature should reach to at least 175°F for chicken thighs.
9. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley leaves and enjoy!

Notes

1. If you prefer a less spicy sauce, use 1 chipotle chile or use just the adobo. 
2. For even more tender chicken thighs, simmer until internal temperature reaches 185°F to 195°F.