Baked Salsa Chicken

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Made with simple pantry staples, this Baked Salsa Chicken is a tasty and easy recipe that your whole family will love. As all you need are a handful of ingredients, it’ll become your new go-to chicken dinner. Coated in a tasty salsa and melty cheese, this is will your family licking their plates clean.

All you need are a couple of minutes and you can prepare this nutritious and family-friendly dinner. It’s one of those meals where you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen as it relies on a lot of pantry staples such as jarred salsa and spices. All you have to do is sear your chicken then add everything to the baking dish and into the oven, it goes. And just like that, you’ll have dinner ready in a jiffy.

I love making baked chicken as I’m able to start the clean-up process as the chicken finishes off in the oven. For another baked chicken recipe, you should try my Baked Cilantro Lemon Chicken and Baked Chicken Breast with Mushrooms.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salsa Bake

It’s family-friendly. This is one of my favorite recipes to make for the family! The kids always reach for a second helping as they love how cheesy this chicken is and they love the taste of salsa.
It’s so flavorful. The melted cheese combined with the chicken and salsa is absolutely delicious. All you need are a few simple ingredients to turn plain chicken breasts into an amazing dinner spread!
It’s easy. All you have to do is sear the chicken then layer it with some salsa and cheese. It’s so easy that it’s perfect for a busy weeknight!

Chicken and Salsa Ingredients

Ingredients needed for baked salsa chicken.

Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Seasoning: You’ll need garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
Olive oil: You’ll need some oil to sear the chicken with.
Salsa: I like to use chunky salsa but you can use whichever salsa you prefer.
Cheese: I like to use a cheddar cheese blend but feel free to use what you prefer.
Garnish: I garnish with fresh jalapenos and cilantro.

How To Make Baked Salsa Chicken

Prepare the equipment: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Season the chicken: Season the chicken breast with garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt.

seasoned chicken before and after cooking

Sear the chicken: Heat a skillet on a medium flame, add oil followed by seasoned chicken. Cook for 4-5 minutes flipping halfway through until slightly golden on both sides.

process showing layering of the baked salsa chicken.

Layer the casserole dish: To a casserole dish layer ½ cup of chunky salsa. Arrange the chicken breast and top them with the remaining salsa and spread a layer of mozzarella cheese generously.
Bake the chicken: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheeses are melted.
Garnish and serve: Once done, garnish the salsa chicken with jalapenos and cilantro. Transfer the chicken to a plate and serve.

Tips to make Chicken Salsa Bake

Make this spicier by using spicy salsa! Not a fan of heat? Use mild salsa.
Do not overcook the chicken so you don’t end up with dry chicken. Always use a cooking thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be at 165 F.
Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese as some bags have an anti-caking agent added that prevents them from melting as well.
You can top this baked salsa chicken with homemade Pico de Gallo, guacamole, or diced avocado for something extra.
Additional things you can add to the casserole dish are cooked corn, black beans, and onions.
Try and use chicken breasts that are similar in size and thickness so they cook evenly.
You are welcome to swap your boneless skinless chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs. Cook time will have to be adjusted if you use a different cut of meat.

A serving of baked salsa chicken lifted from the baking dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook this in the slow cooker?

If you prefer to cook this in the slow cooker, you can. Simply layer everything into a slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.

Do I cover baked chicken with foil?

You don’t have to cover this dish with foil. Since the chicken is partly cooked beforehand, the chicken isn’t spending a ton of time in the oven. Plus the cheese and salsa on top help keep the chicken from drying out.

Can I use a different cheese?

For sure! If you’re not a fan of cheddar in this cheesy baked salsa chicken, try Mozzarella, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack. You can even do a mix of different cheeses if you want to clear out the fridge!

How do I store leftovers?

If you have leftover salsa chicken, store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can heat it up in the oven or microwave. You can freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container if you want to save them for another day.

Close up of baked salsa chicken in a casserole dish.

More Chicken Dinner Recipes

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Baked Salsa Chicken recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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