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Get ready for the most tender and juicy salsa chicken you’ve ever had! Baked on a bed of fresh tomato salsa and topped with melty cheese, this dish is bursting with flavor. The chicken soaks up all the zesty, tangy goodness from the salsa, making every bite a delicious mix of savory and cheesy perfection!
If you love these types of chicken recipes, you have to try my easy crock pot salsa chicken quinoa casserole for a hearty and nutritious twist. Also, don’t miss out on my crockpot salsa chicken tacos for an easy weeknight meal!
This super easy salsa chicken recipe is a fantastic protein option that you can incorporate into various meals throughout the week. It’s a timeless classic, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort. Plus, you can easily tweak the recipe to keep things interesting. Trust me, you’ll be making this one on repeat, and it’s perfect for meal prep to keep you sane on those busy weeknights!
My kids absolutely love this Mexican chicken dish. They get so excited when they see baked salsa chicken on the menu because they know it means taco night! They enjoy shredding the chicken and stuffing it into tacos or making burrito bowls and topping them with their favorite ingredients. Baked salsa chicken has been a staple for ages and it has been a favorite on my blog for years. It’s just a spicy, saucy, and super-flavorful dinner that never disappoints!
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts stay juicy, baked in flavorful salsa, absorbing all the flavors from tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and garlic. Incredibly simple and so easy to make, this baked salsa chicken is always the perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, homemade dinner.
What You’ll Need
When it comes to preparing this great recipe, having the right ingredients for salsa chicken is key to bringing out the rich, flavorful taste that makes this dish a family favorite. For full amounts and instructions, please scroll down to the recipe card.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the chicken breasts, but you can also use vegetable oil or avocado oil.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: I advise pounding down the chicken to the same thickness for even cooking. You can substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Ground Cumin: You could also season the chicken breasts with taco seasoning.
- Chili Powder: Provides a mild heat and deep flavor.
- Paprika: You can use sweet or smoked paprika.
- Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic can be used as a substitute.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken to enhance the flavors.
- Chunky Salsa: Fresh salsa or your favorite salsa will add tons of flavor and moisture.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a creamy, melted topping. A mix of white and yellow cheddar is what I use, but you can substitute it with Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend.
How To Make Salsa Chicken
This easy salsa chicken recipe is a snap to prepare. If time allows, start with making your own homemade resturant style salsa. But if you want to use store-bought, that’s cool, too!
- Preheat: Set your oven to 375˚F.
- Prep the chicken: Warm olive oil in a large skillet. Flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness and season them on all sides.
- Sear: Cook the chicken in the skillet for a couple of minutes or until browned all around.
- Spread: Layer salsa on the bottom of a baking dish, arrange the chicken breasts on top of the salsa, and top with the remaining salsa.
- Bake: Cook uncovered until the chicken is done.
- Add cheese: Top with cheese and bake until melted and bubbly.
- Rest: Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Salsa Chicken Add-Ins
One of the best things about this baked salsa chicken is its versatility. You can easily customize it with various mix-ins.
- Beans: Add a drained can of beans like black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans for extra protein and texture.
- Vegetables: Enhance the dish with diced onion, jalapeño, bell peppers, or corn for added color and crunch.
- Creamy Additions: Stir in some cream cheese or sour cream after cooking for a rich, creamy finish.
- Different Salsas: Change the flavor profile by using various types of salsas, such as salsa roja, peach salsa, or make my famous salsa verde chicken.
Serving Suggestions
You can shred the cooked chicken breasts, mix everything together, and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then, we enjoy using this shredded salsa chicken for quesadillas, baked tacos, taco bowls, nachos, burritos, salads, casseroles, etc. Its versatility is endless and makes for delicious recipes throughout the week.
For an easy weeknight meal, pair the chicken with a big leafy green goddess salad or fiesta rice. For a lighter option, try serving it with coconut lime cauliflower rice—it always hits the spot!
Storing Leftovers
This salsa chicken recipe is a meal prep dream as it stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days, and you can even freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge and reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat, or use the microwave.
More Baked Chicken Dinners
- One Dish Chicken Bake
- Caprese Balsamic Baked Chicken
- Chicken Breasts in Tomato Sauce
- Bruschetta Stuffed Balsamic Chicken
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Baked Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- ½ tablespoon chili powder, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups salsa, you can also use store-bought chunky salsa
- 1 cups shredded cheddar cheese, I use a mix of white and yellow cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness and season them with cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes per side or until browned.
- Spread about 1/2 cup of salsa on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the browned chicken over the salsa and top the chicken breasts with the remaining salsa.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is done. Use a thermometer to check for doneness – chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
- Remove from oven and add the shredded cheese over the top. Bake for 3 to 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I was looking for a recipe that chicken breasts and salsa since I had just opened a jar up the evening before
Reading the reviews I decided to give this a try. It’s super easy and I could throw it together earlier in the day.
In one of the reviews I saw someone put rice on the bottom and let the salsa cook it. That didn’t work for me. I put a little extra water in for the rice but it still came out uncooked. I used long grain rice. It probably would work well with minute rice.
I salvaged the rice and cooked it on the stove after dinner with the salsa that was left in the pan with a little extra water. So I have the side dish for tomorrow instead of today. : )
The chicken turned out great and I’m keeping this recipe!
This is a repeat recipe for me. First time I didn’t use too many spices because I was serving it to my young grandchildren and I served it with white rice. It was really tasty then, but I made it tonight using chicken thighs, with the Fiesta Rice. WOW! This was absolutely delicious. These recipes are definitely repeat recipes for me. Thank you!
Thank you! So glad to hear itโs become a repeat favorite! Adjusting the spices and pairing it with Fiesta Rice sounds perfectโhappy it was such a hit! ๐
Can the chicken with the salsa be prepared ahead , then baked in oven until cooked.
Hi!
Yes, that will work, and it will also give the chicken more flavor because it will have time to marinate. ๐
Was absolutely delicious. Make sure to tenderize the chicken. Makes a huge difference. Even the leftovers were delicious.
Great tip on tenderizing the chicken! It definitely helps to make the meat more flavorful and tender. I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
Made it for dinner last night and it was delicious.
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it! It’s always great when a meal turns out well. Thank YOU! ๐
Made this and it became a favourite 1st time. I served it over linguine with Garlic Bread.
I also made it with cheddar and shredded Parmesan for a change.
That sounds delicious! Serving it over linguine with garlic bread is a fantastic idea, and the addition of cheddar and shredded Parmesan must have given it a nice twist. Itโs great to hear it became a favorite on the first try! Thank YOU! ๐
wonderful. Easy to make and the taste is heavenly
So happy to hear it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your experience! ๐
This recipe is very easy and tasty. My husband loves it. The salsa you use is the key. I use Mateoโs salsa. The leftovers are good as is or slice the chicken it and put in a tortilla.
It sounds like you’ve found a great recipe that’s both easy and delicious! Using Mateoโs salsa really seems to make a difference, and it’s clever how you use the leftovers in tortillas. I’m very glad you and your husband enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
Mine didnโt turn out so well, I added too much salsa and it was soupy lol, will definitely try this again but less salsa next time. It still tasted good just not the preferred consistency lol
It’s all part of the cooking adventure! ๐ Adjusting the salsa next time sounds like a good plan. Glad it still tasted good, and I’m sure the next attempt will be even better with the perfect consistency.
I put rice in the bottom with the salsa so it could cook with the chicken. I was thinking what a waste of good salsa! That really made it better
That sounds like a smart and tasty modification! Using salsa to cook the rice must have added some great flavor. It’s always fun to experiment and find new ways to enhance a dish! Thank you! ๐
What type of rice did you use? Was it a minute rice,
Has anyone tried Mango salsa for this recipe? I have a jar I need to use.