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chicken breasts baked in a dish topped with salsa and topped with melted cheddar cheese.
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5 from 1 vote

Baked Salsa Chicken 

Juicy, flavorful chicken breasts are topped with fresh salsa and shredded cheese, then baked to perfection. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: chicken, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Skill Level: Intermediate
Servings: 4
Author: Rena Awada

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts see note
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning or homemade
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar Monterey or Colby Jack cheese
  • fresh cilantro Optional, chopped avocado, sliced jalapeno

Fresh salsa:

  • 1 1/4 cup freshly chopped tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 1 Mexican spicy pepper Like serano, jalapeno, anaheim, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime juiced
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375F.
  • Rub the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with the 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, Kosher salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
    marinated chicken breast in a dish.
  • Place in a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.
    baked chicken breast in a baking dish.
  • Meanwhile, chop and prepare the fresh salsa. (1 1/4 cup freshly chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced onion, 1 Mexican spicy pepper, 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, 1 lime, and Kosher salt and pepper)
    chopped salsa ingredients in a bowl.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven, top with the fresh salsa and 1 cup shredded Cheddar.
    fresh salsa added over baked chicken in a dish.
  • Return to the oven and continue baking for 8-10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165F and the cheese is fully melted.
    baked chicken topped with fresh salsa and shredded cheese.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro and avocado, if desired.

Notes

  • Quick note: If the chicken breast is too thick, feel free to slice them in half lengthwise. 
  • You may use boneless and skinless chicken thighs instead.
  • Don't want to use chicken? Use Salmon or cod. You will need to cook it for a shorter amount of time. 
  • Use fresh ingredients if possible. I would recommend using fresh tomatoes, fresh parsley, and fresh cilantro.
  • Any pepper will work, like serrano, jalapeno, or Anaheim. You can deseed them if you do not like them too hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 596mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 877IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 219mg | Iron: 1mg