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This Salsa Fresca baked chicken breast recipe is one of our go-to chicken dinner recipes that is added to our weeknight dinner menu. It is easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for meal prepping.
Salsa Fresca baked chicken breast is a delightful, simple, and healthier option that offers a burst of flavor and requires minimal preparation. The flavors in this simple oven-baked chicken breast recipe will blow you away. You will enjoy tender and juicy chicken with each bite. The chicken breasts are first seared on a skillet to give it that golden hue and then baked in the oven to perfection. The salsa fresca is the perfect topping for these baked chicken breasts and then topped with shredded mozzarella for that final touch to the meal. This meal serves as a simple and easy chicken dinner recipe that is healthy, filling, and perfect for the whole family. Serve it with rice, quinoa, salad, or pasta.
Why you will love this recipe
- Delicious Flavor: The Salsa Fresca is what makes this recipe! The combination of fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice, adds a burst of vibrant flavor to the chicken breast. It creates a tangy and refreshing taste that complements the tender and juicy chicken.
- Easy to prepare: It is relatively easy to make this recipe and requires minimal effort. It’s a straightforward recipe that doesn’t demand extensive cooking skills or time-consuming steps.
- Healthier Option: Baking chicken breast is a healthier way to prepare chicken compared to frying, as it requires less oil. Additionally, salsa Fresca is made with fresh ingredients, providing a nutritious boost to your meal.
Ingredients you will need to make this recipe
- Chicken breasts: We prefer that you use chicken breasts because they are lean and a healthier option. If you prefer to use chicken thighs, use skinless and boneless chicken thighs.
- Garlic Powder
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Tomatoes: We used Roma Tomatoes but any tomatoes of your choice
- Olive Oil: or avocado oil will also work
- Red onion: We prefer red over white, but you may also use white onions.
- Fresh Cilantro: We highly recommend you don’t skip this ingredient. If you just hate cilantro, swap it with parsley and use half a bunch.
- Jalapenos: Be sure to remove the seeds to make it less spicy. Use Half if you can handle a bit of heat.
- One lime, zest, and juice of
- Shredded mozzarella: Other shredded cheese can be used.
How to make this baked chicken breasts with salsa Fresca
Preheat the oven to 375F.
Rub the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil; Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and mostly cooked through.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime.
Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Spoon the salsa fresca mixture over the chicken and top with the shredded cheese.
Bake for around 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Recipe notes and tips
- Use boneless and skinless chicken breast. Bone in chicken breast will take much longer to cook.
- You may use chicken thighs, just make sure they are skinless and boneless. Be aware that chicken thighs are not as lean as chicken breast.
- Use fresh ingredients where possible. So for example, use fresh lime instead of lime juice from the bottle. If you don’t have fresh lime then the bottled version will do.
- Oven temperatures vary. The chicken breast usually doesn’t need more than 20 minutes in the oven. But depending on the thickness and size of the chicken breast, it may need an additional 10 minutes. The best way to check for doneness is to use a food thermometer. Place it on the thickest part of the chicken breast and wait until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
- Meal prep: This recipe is perfect for those who meal prep their meals ahead. Serve with a side of brown rice, quinoa, or sweet potatoes.
- Storage: Store leftovers in a container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Serve this salsa fresca baked chicken breast with this cilantro lime cauliflower rice to keep things low in carbs
Frequently asked questions
All ovens vary and the size of the chicken breast will also affect the time it will need for chicken breasts to be fully baked. Typically, at 375F chicken breasts will take anywhere between 20-30 minutes. The best way to check if the chicken is cooked through is when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. You can check this by using a food thermometer.
If you are baking a whole chicken breast, it may be best to bake it covered at first to speed up the baking and ensure the chicken comes out moist and juicy. You will cover the whole chicken for half of the baking time, and then uncover it for the remaining time. When baking chicken breast, we do not feel like you need to cover the chicken.
The quick answer is NO. You do not need to flip the chicken or chicken breast halfway This step is not necessary because the chicken will continue to cook through regardless and only the top part of the chicken will be golden brown and crispy. This is really a personal preference.
More chicken recipes to try
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Fajita Baked Chicken Breast
- Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Breast
- Pesto Chicken Recipe
- French Onion Chicken Skillet
- Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet
Other recipes you may like
- Spicy Salmon Maki Bowl
- Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Grilled Lemon Garlic Asparagus
- Strawberry Salsa
- Cucumber Sandwich
- Crab Pasta Salad Recipe
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Salsa Fresca Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 large Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- 1 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
- 1 lime, zest, and juice of
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Rub the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil; Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden-brown and mostly cooked through.
- Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime.
- Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Spoon the salsa fresca mixture over the chicken and top with the shredded cheese.
- Bake for around 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Notes
- Use boneless and skinless chicken breast
- You may use chicken thighs, just make sure they are skinless and boneless.
- Use fresh ingredients
- Oven temperatures vary. The chicken breast usually doesn’t need more than 20 minutes in the oven. But depending on the thickness and size of the chicken breast, it may need an additional 10 minutes. The best way to check for doneness is to use a food thermometer. Place it on the thickest part of the chicken breast and wait until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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