Salsa chicken is the perfect way to spice up your weeknight dinner routine. Made with just a few ingredients and bursting with flavor, this 30 minute meal is sure to become a family favorite.
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Our salsa chicken recipe is just what you need if you’re looking for a new quick and easy dinner idea. The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but want a great dinner. Made with tender and juicy chicken breast, zesty taco seasoning, and your favorite salsa, this meal is packed with bold, delicious flavors that are sure to impress.
If you’re looking for more chicken recipes, try these Baked Bruschetta Chicken, Grilled Lime Fiesta Chicken, and Garlic Lime Chicken with Pineapple Salsa.
Why We Love Baked Salsa Chicken Recipe
Chicken with salsa is a versatile and delicious meal that’s perfect for those who want a quick and easy dinner option that’s both flavorful and easily adaptable to dietary needs.
- Easy Ingredients: Our salsa chicken recipe requires only 5 ingredients and consists of pantry staples.
- Adaptable: You can easily lower the saltiness and sodium count for this recipe by using low-sodium ingredients. You can also omit the cheese for a dairy-free recipe. Make it in the slow cooker or make this recipe as instant pot salsa chicken.
- Makes Great Leftovers: This recipe is fantastic for leftovers. You can use the chicken in salads, burritos, or quesadillas. You can also use your leftovers to make salsa chicken tacos.
Ingredient Notes for Baked Salsa Chicken
- Boneless Chicken Breasts: To ensure your chicken dinner turns out perfectly cooked and juicy, we recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer, you could also use chicken thighs. If you have frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it first.
- Taco Seasoning: If you don’t have taco seasoning on hand, our homemade taco seasoning is the perfect blend of spices to add flavor to your salsa and chicken.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Baked Salsa Chicken Dish
One of the best things about our easy chicken with salsa recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily customize this dish by using different salsa or cheese to add your own personal touch.
- Different salsa: You can use any brand of salsa, a mild, medium, or hot jar of salsa depending on your spicy heat preference. You can also use a pineapple or mango salsa for a fruity twist. Any salsa that you love.
- Different cheese: This recipe calls for a cheddar cheese but a Monterey jack or Mexican blend cheese on top of the chicken would be great options too.
- Cooking variation: For a more hands-off dinner process, you can make this salsa chicken in an instant pot or crockpot salsa chicken.
How to Make Easy Salsa Chicken Recipe
These are the basic steps for making flavorful chicken recipe. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Season Meat
Slice your chicken breasts through the middle to create 4 small chicken breasts. Season the 4 chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and taco seasoning.
Step 2: Cook Chicken
Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the chicken and sear for about 4 minutes or until browned. Flip the chicken over and cook the chicken until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
Step 3: Add Toppings and Bake
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Transfer the chicken fillets to a baking sheet and salsa on top over the chicken and add the shredded cheese. Place chicken and the salsa in the oven and bake for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and gooey.
Recipe FAQs about Chicken Salsa
Expert Tips for Making Salsa and Chicken
Making a delicious and easy dinner doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Salsa with chicken is the perfect option for those looking for a dish that’s full of flavor. With minimal effort and a few simple ingredients, you can create a savory meal that will please your taste buds.
- More Cheese: For an extra cheesy twist, you can sprinkle additional cheese on top of your chicken after baking this easy recipe for salsa chicken dinner.
- Sour Cream: If you like a creamier chicken meal, add a scoop of sour cream to your salsa chicken before serving.
- Jalapenos: For some extra kick of heat, chop up some fresh jalapenos and add them to your salsa. You can also add a few sliced jalapenos on top of your chicken.
- Extra Salsa: Double the salsa or use a flavorful salsa for this low-carb recipe.
- Skinless Chicken Thighs: Replace the breasts with thighs.
- Double: Double the chicken and shred the chicken and use this Mexican shredded chicken in your favorite recipes.
What to Serve with Salsa Chicken
Salsa Chicken
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 2 Large chicken breasts, or 4 small
- Salt , to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 cup Salsa, as needed
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Cut the whole chicken breasts in half through the middle to end up with 4 thinner chicken fillets.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper and taco seasoning.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Once skillet is warmed, add the chicken and sear on the first side for 3-4 minutes or until well-browned.
- Flip the chicken over and cook it until the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove chicken from heat.
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place chicken on a baking sheet and top each chicken piece with salsa and cheese.
- Place the chicken in the oven and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese melts completely.
Christina’s Notes
- More Cheese: For an extra cheesy twist, you can sprinkle additional cheese on top of your chicken after baking.
- Sour Cream: If you like a creamier chicken meal, add a scoop of sour cream to your salsa chicken before serving.
- Jalapenos: For some extra add kick of heat, chop up some fresh jalapenos and add them to your salsa. You can also add a few sliced jalapenos on top of your chicken.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.