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
This delicious, easy baked onion cheese dip is great for a last minute appetizer. You guuuuyyyyssss, it’s SO good, I almost ate the whole pan myself! Serve it with tortilla chips, fresh bread, or pita chips.
Five different cheeses go into this fabulous hot onion dip, and there is no such thing as too much cheese!
Help!!
Ok, awhile back a darling reader reached out to me and shared her baked onion cheese dip which I’ve been holding onto to try. The problem is, I can’t remember her name!! So, if this recipe was from you and you DM’d it to me on Instagram:
- Tell me who you are!
- THIS IS THE BEST DIP!!
I adjusted things a bit to my family’s likes but my goodness, you weren’t kidding, this dip is everything.
Recommended Equipment
Before You Begin…
Slice up the onion and get them caramelizing and then pull out all your cheeses to prep. The cream cheese needs to be softened, so get that out on the counter so it can come to room temperature. You’ll also want to grate the parmesan, Swiss and sharp cheddar cheeses yourself if you can. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well as cheese you grate yourself. The Mexican blend will always be a pre-shredded bag.
The Secret to Onion Dip
Caramelized onions.
Do not just throw those onions in there, caramelize them first! And in fact, if you want to really make your caramelized onions top notch throw in a little Worcestershire sauce. It adds a depth of flavor to those onions that you will love!
What Do I Need for Baked Onion Cheese Dip?
You will need cheese, cheese and more cheese!! Grab a sweet onion, a few simple ingredients and you’re on your way! Here is what you will need:
- Onions: Sweet Onion, Butter, Worcestershire Sauce
- Cheeses: Cream Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Mexican Blend Cheese
- Dip: Mayonnaise, Sour Cream
- Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Herbs (thyme and chopped chives)
Keep scrolling to see the complete recipe card with all the measurements for each ingredient.
How to Make Cheesy Onion Baked Dip
- Caramelize Onions: Preheat a cast iron skillet on the stove and add the butter to melt, then add the onions that let them get tender. Season them with a little salt and let them cook. Add Worcestershire sauce and allow the onions to caramelize stirring every few minutes.