Pan seared boneless-skinless chicken breasts, roasted poblano peppers and cream, provide this distinctive dish with a rich silky sauce and smokey sophisticated flavor. Low carb elegance!
I'm almost positive that this recipe for chicken with poblano peppers and cream is going to rock your socks!
If you've never had a roasted poblano pepper then you are in for a treat. Roasting a poblano pepper not only facilitates removing the tough outer skin of the pepper, it also adds an irresistible smokey flavor to any recipe. At the moment, I am lucky enough to have a gas stove, so I turn the flame to low and place my peppers directly on the burner, turning the pepper so the entire surface blackens.
Poblano peppers can also be roasted on a very hot comal, directly under the broiler or even on a gas grill. Then, they steam in a covered bowl for several minutes until you’re ready to peel off and discard the charred skin. At this point they can hang out in the fridge for about 5 days until needed.
If I’ve peaked your curiosity about roasting poblano peppers, and you should be roasting and peeling them before preparing or serving, I have an authentic recipe for low carb Chile Rellenos and a recipe for Banglalore Chicken Curry that call for roasted poblano peppers. Go take a look if they sound good to you, I’ll wait. Oh, for the record, these tasty peppers are as great with beef as they are with chicken.
This chicken poblano recipe has been a long time in the making. I’ve made it over 8 times the last several months and it has tasted amazing each and every time. The only problem with the dish lies with the inexperienced blogger behind the camera. Gah! I try so hard.
Not one round of photography has resulted in the perfect picture – one highlighting the lusciously silky texture of the rich cream sauce juxtaposed with the cut strips of roasted dark green poblano peppers. Not one! I even tried preparing the dish by pureeing the peppers into the sauce. It was also tasty, but not as interesting texture-wise. So, I just don't know what to do and I MUST share this recipe.
You’ll have to trust me when I tell you that this dish is just as extraordinary as the Salmon in Bacon Vodka Cream Sauce I shared several months ago, or even the Pan Seared Chicken with Sauce. We’re talking restaurant quality gourmet dishes in 30 minutes at home. I served recipe for chicken with cheesy cauliflower mash. Using an orange variety of cauliflower results in an amazing buttery-golden color.
This amazing Chicken with Poblano Peppers and Cream is 5 net carbs per serving.
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless-skinless chicken filets
- 2 medium roasted poblano peppers ** cut into strips
- 1/2 ounces medium onion sliced 1/4-inch thick, 3
- 1 large clove garlic, sliced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/8 teaspoon dried cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- salt and pepper to taste
- Peppers: Roast the poblano peppers until all sides are blackened. If you have a gas stove, place them right on the burner over medium-low heat, turning and re-positioning until the are blistered and black on all sides. If not, place directly under a broiler or on a grill. Put into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap so they can steam for 5-10 minutes before peeling. Cut and proceed with the recipe or refrigerate until needed.
- Chicken: Let the chicken come to temperature on the counter for about 20 minutes. Place a stainless steal or non-stick skillet and 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium high heat (NOT A CAST IRON SKILLET.) Blot the chicken dry, massage with the remaining teaspoon of oil and season with salt and pepper. When pan is hot, cook the chicken 4-6 minutes per side or until an instant read thermometer registers 160. Remove the chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Sauce: Turn the heat down to medium and saute the onions and garlic for about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and add the wine. Place the pan back over the heat and cook until most of the wine has evaporated, scraping up any browned bits left from the chicken. Add the cream, poblano peppers and cumin. Cook until the cream has thickened to your liking keeping in mind that it will become even thicker as it cools. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as necessary. Serve over the chicken.
- Variation: If you'd like, add the cooked onion and garlic, poblano peppers and cream to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to the pan, add the cumin and cook until thickened. If it becomes too thick, add a little chicken broth. Salt and pepper to taste.
**I suggest roasting the peppers up to 5 days before for maximum speed and efficiency in preparing this delicious dish.
Poblanos have become my new love! Just roasted and peeled 6 and plan on making this dish, that I’ve been looking at for too long, in the next few days. I’ll be using boneless skinless thighs since that’s what I have on hand (and I’m determined to work my way through my freezer without buying ANY MORE MEAT!) Also, I’ve just enough white wine for this recipe, I’m definitely not a white wine lover and this has been sitting for weeks. Still smells like it should though, since it cooks down, I’m hoping it will be ok to use!
Belinda, roasted poblanos are sooooo good! Your chicken thighs should be great. I take advantages of meat on sale and my freezer is full to bursting. I need to start going through it, too. I also don’t drink white wine or any wine very often, so it sits in my refrigerator for months to be used in recipes. Your wine will be fine. Enjoy the recipe. -Kim
Why no cast iron skillet? Curious. I use mine all the time and am wondering if I am using it in certain situations that I shouldn’t be. Thanks!
Jen, the sauce may turn grey. That happens sometimes with my pan when I add an acid to the sauce. Having said that, mine is not a cherished handed down pan so maybe it isn’t seasoned properly? -Kim
So I typically do not drink dry white wine, and don’t really want to buy a whole bottle just for 1/4 cup…is there something I can sub? Chicken broth? Cooking wine?
Sure Amanda. I don’t drink wine either and the bottle sits in the fridge for many months! Lol. But it does add another layer of flavor. I also buy the “three buck Chuck” at Trader Joe’s for that same reason. Lol. Yes, you can use some chicken broth to replace the liquid. Cooking wine is cheap wine with lots of salt added so don’t use that. Enjoy the recipe. -Kim
I made this several nights ago with a bit of trepidation since I don’t generally like boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I made sure to follow your recipe exactly so that I wouldn’t overcook the chicken. My husband loved the recipe, and I liked it, but it wasn’t until I ate leftovers today that I understood why it’s one of your favorites. The flavors really had time to meld together, and it was fantastic.
I think next time I make it, I’ll follow your suggestion of blending the cream, peppers, and onions, so it will be a smoother sauce. Plus, I’ll be sure to make it a day in advance. Thank you again for another excellent recipe that will become part of my regular rotation.
I’m so glad you gave it a chance Carole. I agree, if you have left overs, it tastes even better the next day. And doing the peppers in the morning or several days before, makes it so easy to put together. Let me know if you prefer the pureed sauce. Thanks for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment – as always! Have a wonderful week! -Kim
I think this dish looks absolutely amazing! My husband will love it!
Oh, Sarah, the peppers and cream are worth the extra work for the poblano peppers. So yum! Thanks for the comment and kind words. Have a nice week. -Kim
Your pictures are great! Don’t be too hard on yourself. And this recipe looks amazing! I love balancing spicy foods with cream.
Thanks for the kind words Taryn. You’re right, spicy and cream go very nicely together. Luckily I removed the veins from the peppers so my kids could eat them. Sometimes poblano can be super spicy. Whew! Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day. -Kim
Kim, you certainly nailed it this time with your photography, though I think you are very modest because all your food looks delicious. I love getting ideas for simple dinners, and the sauce sounds quite exquisite!
Oh, thanks Katrin. I have to say that eating this dish several times while I kept taking photos was no hardship at all! 🙂 -Kim
Oh, thanks Katrin. I have to say that eating this dish several times while I kept taking photos was no hardship at all! 🙂 -Kim
Mmmm I love poblanos and mixing them with cream sounds heavenly!
Your photos always so stunning! I love how you’ve included the sauce both ways. One looks creamy and smooth, but the other highlights those beautiful smoky poblanos. BOTH LOOK DELISH!
Thanks, Tasha. I’m still frustrated with this set of photos, but man it’s a good dish. I hope you have a great week. -Kim
I love peppers with chicken! This looks amazing Kim & it looks easy to make. 🙂