Baked Salsa Chicken

This easy baked salsa chicken recipe is packed with bold flavors and comes together with simple pantry staples. It’s a great way to bring Mexican food to the kitchen table with minimal effort, and it’s the perfect dish for busy weeknights.

I like to top the salsa chicken with a little sour cream or crema fresca and then serve it with rice or beans. Honestly, this Salsa chicken recipe doesn’t get any easier!

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As a productivity manager, I understand how precious your time is, especially when it comes to preparation and presentation and this is an simple and quick recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Made with a handful of ingredients
• Quick prep and easy clean-up
• Juicy chicken breasts with melty cheese
• Versatile dish that pairs well with burrito bowls, casseroles, or a side of warm tortillas
• Leftover chicken can be used for meal prep

Ingredients for easy salsa chicken

• Oil – Avocado oil works great
• Lime – or lemon juice
• Honey – for a touch of added sweetness
• Chicken – You want to use boneless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for this recipe. If you use chicken tenders, the recipe will bake quicker. 
• Tortilla Chips – I use whatever I have on hand.
• Salsa – you can use a red salsa, a green salsa, or a combination of both for this recipe.
• Cheese – I used a mixture of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. You can use either or both.

How to make juicy salsa chicken

1. Crush the tortilla chips (I use a baggie for this) and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Coat a baking pan with butter or margarine.
3. Mix oil, juice, and honey together in a flat bowl. Dip chicken breasts (or tenders) into the mixture and coat in tortilla chips (again in the bag).
4. Place chicken in oven and cook 10–13 minutes. Ten minutes for tenders, longer for breasts.
5. Pour salsa on chicken and top with shredded cheese. Return to oven.
6. Bake an additional 10–15 minutes.

Tips for the Best Results

• Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Let the cooked chicken rest at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
• For a quicker cooking time, slice larger chicken breasts in half or use chicken tenders.
• Sprinkle taco seasoning on the chicken before coating it with tortilla chips for extra flavor.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Serve with sour cream and avocado, if desired.

Substitutions and Variations

• Swap skinless chicken breasts for boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
• Use salsa verde instead of chunky salsa for a different flavor.
• Replace cheddar cheese with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Try crushed corn chips instead of tortilla chips for a different texture and flavor.
• Add black beans, kidney beans, or sweet corn for a heartier meal.
• Mix in chili powder, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for additional seasonings.
• Serve with Mexican rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
• Turn it into an easy weeknight meal by making it in the slow cooker or instant pot.
• Use fresh salsa or homemade salsa instead of bottled for a fresher taste.
• Top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream before serving.

FAQs

What to Make Next

If you’re looking for a flavorful, quick dinner that’s anything but boring, my Chili Lime Chicken is a must-try easy dinner recipe! Juicy, tender chicken is seasoned with a zesty blend of chili and fresh lime for the perfect balance of tangy and smoky heat.

More delicious chicken dishes

• Chicken Piccata – A delicious and easy recipe with a mild lemon flavor.
• Chicken Enchiladas Verde – Made with a creamy Chili Verde sauce.
• Chicken and Rice Soup – A longtime family favorite
• Creamy Chicken Pasta with Chipotle Sauce -so easy with a kick of spice!
• Thai Chicken Recipe – Tender pieces of chicken in a seasoned peanut butter sauce.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – A family favorite with bacon and a delicious ranch flavor!
• Fried Chicken Tenders – Just like Raising Cane’s

Don’t forget to bookmark this recipe for later!

Salsa Chicken

Raquel Pineira

This delicious easy Salsa Chicken is perfect for those busy evenings when dinner is a last-minute decision. With only a 7 ingredients, you can have a delicious chicken dinner on the table. It is also very BUDGET FRIENDLY!

5 from 17 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 498 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup tortilla chips
• 1 cup bottled chunky salsa
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

 

• 1. Crush the tortilla chips (I use a baggie for this) and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2. Coat a baking pan with butter or margarine.
  
  3. Mix oil, juice, and honey together in a flat bowl. Dip chicken breasts (or tenders into mixture and coat in tortilla chips (again in the baggie).
  
  4. Place chicken in oven and cook 10 – 13 minutes. Ten minutes for tenders, longer for breasts.
  
  5. Pour salsa on chicken and top with shredded cheese. Return to oven.
  
  6. Bake an additional 10 – 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 31gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 324mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 307IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This post was originally featured at Momitforward.com on 7/25/13 here.

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