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This easy cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken is the perfect main course. With only five ingredients, this easy dinner requires less than 10 minutes of prep and bakes in under 30 minutes!

salsa chicken in a large dish, a spatula is holding up one breast

Salsa Chicken Recipe

Ashley here from Spoonful of Flavor to bring you an easy dinner recipe that requires only a few ingredients – chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, and cheese! Simple to prepare, but incredibly flavorful, salsa chicken will be your new favorite weeknight go-to.

The chicken requires less than 10 minutes of prep and will be on your dinner table in less than 40 minutes. Serve it with a simple side dish, like Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower, Mexican Black Beans, or Mexican Rice for a complete meal or prep it for lunch and enjoy it over Brown Rice.

Salsa chicken breasts baked in a large dish

How To Make Baked Salsa Chicken

This recipe can’t get any easier. Baked salsa chicken is a quick and easy dinner recipe and tastes great as leftovers.

  1. Gather your ingredients. chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, and cheese! We like to use homemade taco seasoning and a mix of cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese.
  2. Prep. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread ½ cup of the salsa evenly on the bottom. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer over the top of the salsa. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and then top with the remaining salsa.
  3. Bake the chicken in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the cooked chicken and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. The cheese will be melted and bubbly. The chicken is done when a digital meat thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken breast reaches 165°F.
  5. Serve. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then top with sour cream and chopped green onions, then serve with your favorite easy side dish!

A whole chicken breast covered with salsa, cheese and sour cream on top of rice on a plate

Freezing Salsa Chicken

Since the dish requires only a few minutes of prep before baking, we recommend freezing the chicken and other ingredients before cooking.

To freeze, place the uncooked chicken in a freezer bag and add the taco seasoning. Give it a shake to coat the chicken, then seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Next, pour the salsa and the shredded cheese into individual small freezer bags. Place the 3 bags together in a large freezer bag to keep everything together. Freeze until ready to use; up to 6 months.

Once you are ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, assemble with the salsa on top and then bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. Top with cheese and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

A pan with 3 chicken breasts covered with salsa and cheese and a plate with sliced chicken and rice

Here are some other easy baked chicken dinners to try:

Recipe

Baked Salsa Chicken

5 from 2 votes
This easy cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken dish is the perfect dinner. With only five ingredients, this easy dinner requires less than 10 minutes of prep and bakes in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves about 1 ½ pounds
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa (one 15 ounce jar)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Sour cream for garnish
  • Green onion for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with cooking spray and spread ½ cup of the salsa evenly on the bottom.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a single layer on top of the salsa. Sprinkle taco seasoning on top of the chicken breasts and top with remaining salsa.
  • Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until the chicken is tender and the juices run clear.
  • Sprinkle the chicken evenly with the cheese and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream and green onions and serve.

Notes

  • Store the salsa chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 32gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 1032mgPotassium: 721mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 811IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 242mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baked salsa chicken

Ashley

Ashley is the creator of Spoonful of Flavor. She loves creating easy, wholesome meals and believes in balancing clean eats with sweet treats. When she is not in the kitchen, you will find her traveling to foodie spots near and far.

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Comments

  1. This is a great recipe my family enjoys. I have made it several times. Question – I’m planning on making it later today, but my chicken is frozen and I won’t be able to properly thaw it in time. I’m hoping this won’t be a problem. Could this be made with frozen chicken breasts, and if so, what changes would you recommend as far as oven temp and cooking time? Thank you!

    1. Hi Kate, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to answer your question sooner. I don’t typically recommend baking from frozen, and neither does the FDA, because the temperature change is slower and could be the perfect environment for bacteria growth. Additionally, it might release too much liquid.

  2. I made this tonight for dinner using a full cup of Monterey Jack as was suggested by Kristin. It was perfect and will definitely make again. Thank you, Kristin!

  3. This looks like another great recipe i can’t wait to try. My question is I am not a fan of cheddar cheese. What other type would go with the Monterey Jack? Thank you!