Go Back
+ servings
Pollo a la Crema

Pollo a la Crema

Be the first to review!
Pollo a la Crema is a cozy, creamy Mexican-style chicken dish made with tender marinated chicken strips, sautéed onions, green peppers, and mushrooms in a rich tomato-cream sauce. It has a little spice from hot sauce and Mexican seasoning, but still feels family-friendly and comforting. Serve it with Mexican rice, refried beans, fresh lettuce, and sour cream for a full, satisfying dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Latin American, Mexican, Mexican-Inspired
Calories: 490

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 3 pounds chicken tenderloins sliced into strips
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (heaping)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 cup milk
Vegetables
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 small packages mushrooms sliced
  • 2 medium green peppers thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • olive oil as needed
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper
Cream Sauce
  • 16 oz heavy whipping cream
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 3 tbsp sour cream
  • 2 tsp hot sauce to taste
  • 1 to 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp Mexican seasoning mix
Serving
  • Mexican rice
  • refried beans
  • fresh lettuce
  • sour cream

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 spatula or wooden spoon
  • 1 knife
  • 1 cutting board

Method
 

  1. Add the sliced chicken tenderloins to a large bowl. Season with salt, garlic powder, cornstarch, black pepper, paprika, and milk. Mix until the chicken is fully coated.
  2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight, or for at least a few hours if you are short on time.
  3. Heat the butter and a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until softened.
  4. Add the green peppers and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized.
  5. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook until they reduce in size. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  6. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
  7. In the same pan, add the marinated chicken. Cook over high heat for 8 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
  8. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the heavy whipping cream, tomato sauce, sour cream, hot sauce, paprika, salt, and Mexican seasoning. Stir until everything is well combined.
  9. Return the cooked onions, peppers, and mushrooms to the pan. Stir everything together.
  10. Let the mixture cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, allowing it to lightly bubble and thicken.
  11. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, paprika, hot sauce, or Mexican seasoning as needed.
  12. Serve warm with Mexican rice, refried beans, fresh lettuce, and sour cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 350gCalories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 185mgSodium: 987mgPotassium: 895mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1506IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1mg

Notes

  1. Marinating the chicken overnight gives it the best flavor and texture.
  2. Cornstarch helps the chicken stay tender and gives the sauce a nice body once everything cooks together.
  3. For a spicier version, add more hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes. For a milder version, use less hot sauce and paprika.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of cream or milk if the sauce thickens too much.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
QR Code linking back to recipe