Cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken

Name: Cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Kosher salt to taste; 2 tablespoons taco seasoning; 1 cup chunky salsa or salsa verde; 1 cup chunky salsa or salsa verde, reserved for topping; 1 cup shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Mexican blend, Monterey jack, or pepper jack; 4 medium scallions, sliced; 1/4 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Recipe GLPR6057c5cc19af87

Mexican

Main Course

45 min

275 cal

Servings: 8

Oven

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

Tender, juicy chicken breasts seasoned with taco spices, topped with melted cheese and salsa, then baked until golden and bubbly. A simple weeknight dinner that delivers vibrant flavors and satisfying comfort food appeal.

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt to taste

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

1 cup chunky salsa or salsa verde

1 cup chunky salsa or salsa verde, reserved for topping

1 cup shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Mexican blend, Monterey jack, or pepper jack

4 medium scallions, sliced

1/4 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the chicken breasts in a large baking dish.
Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt and taco seasoning.
Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. This step adds color and flavor; the chicken does not need to be cooked through yet.
Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish.
Pour 1 cup of salsa over the chicken, then bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when measured at the thickest part.
Remove the dish from the oven and distribute the shredded cheese evenly over each chicken breast.
Spoon the remaining 1 cup of salsa over the cheese layer.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5–8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and starting to bubble at the edges.
Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced scallions and fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

The ingredients are available at every Charlotte grocery chain—chicken, salsa, cheese, and taco seasoning are standbys—making this a genuinely grab-and-go weeknight dish. At roughly $1.25 per serving for eight servings, the cost is solid, driven mainly by the chicken breast, and the stated 45 minutes is honest for assembly and baking. The one real limitation is that this is a same-night dish; reheated chicken breast becomes dry and the salsa-cheese topping doesn't improve after a day in the fridge, which caps its practical value for a family that needs leftovers.