Description
This baked salsa chicken recipe features juicy, spice-rubbed chicken breasts topped with chunky salsa and melted cheese, creating an easy and family-friendly dinner option that is both flavorful and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Seasoning Mix
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups chunky salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or Mexican blend)
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Mix the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Line a large cutting board with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Lay out the chicken breasts in a single layer, then cover with another layer of plastic wrap or parchment.
- Pound the chicken: Using a meat mallet or a heavy skillet, pound each chicken breast to about ¾-inch thickness for even cooking and tenderness.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly on both sides of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage.
- Add salsa to baking dish: Pour 1 cup of chunky salsa into the bottom of a baking dish and spread it evenly to create a flavorful base.
- Assemble for baking: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the salsa layer and spoon the remaining 1 cup of salsa over each breast evenly.
- Bake the chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over each chicken breast evenly.
- Broil the cheese: Turn the oven broiler on high. Place the chicken under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped cilantro and serving.
Notes
- Cheese options: Use Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, or a Mexican blend shredded cheese for meltiness and flavor.
- Storing leftovers: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Reheating leftovers: Warm in a covered baking dish at 325°F until heated through or microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Freezing: After cooling completely, freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness and food safety with an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
