This one pan pollo a la crema recipe is a delicious dish that combines tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and a creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
My friend was telling me about her weekend with her mom and how they always order this delicious creamy chicken whenever they go out for Mexican food and I was like, hold up, what creamy chicken?! I’ve seriously never heard of it!
We ended up chatting all afternoon about what it must be made with, what it’s really called (was it pollo con crema, pollo a la crema or pollo de crema?!) and then I laid awake, like always, unable to get the recipe out of my head.
It’s become one of our new staples and I cannot comment enough on how easy this dinner recipe is. If you want fast, cheap, affordable, delicious, and family friendly, it’s all about the creamy chicken!
What is Pollo a la Crema?
Pollo a la Crema, or creamed chicken, is a South American dish that consists of tender chunks of chicken, sauteed bell peppers, onions and mushrooms all cooked in a creamy flavorful sauce. It is usually served with warm flour tortillas.
Ingredients Needed for Pollo a la Crema
These ingredients are simple and easy to find. The only item that might be a little out of the ordinary is the Mexican crema which can be found in the refrigerator section for the Mexican specialty foods like fresh salsa and chorizo. Here is what you will need:
For the Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: boneless, skinless
- Seasonings: salt and pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder
- Olive Oil
For the Rest of the Dish
- Green Bell Pepper
- Red or Orange Bell Pepper
- White Onion
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: or white button mushrooms work fine as well and if you’re not a mushroom fan, just omit them!
- Mexican Crema: see section below for more details
- Sour Cream
- Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
- Cilantro
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
What is Crema?
Crema is the Mexican version of French crème fraîche, a little bit tangy and creamy. It is slightly soured and thickened cream, milder and less thick than American sour cream. The flavor is a lot more mild in my opinion and a touch buttery. You will find it in the meat and Mexican ingredients section of your grocery store. There’s not really a great substitute for it in this recipe, so try your best to find it!
How to Make Pollo con Crema