Chicken Salsa Recipe

This salsa chicken recipe is SO EASY and SO flavorful AKA it’s destined to become a go-to chicken dinner favorite! Best of all, everything bakes in ONE pan which means super easy clean up and no extra sides to prepare! To make salsa chicken, chicken breasts are slathered in spices then laid on a bed of salsa, corn, beans and rice, smothered with more salsa, baked, then finished with ooey gooey melted cheese. The salsa chicken emerges dripping with flavor, loaded with texture and incredibly versatile. You can serve the salsa chicken as-is, or chop up the chicken and use it for nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, etc. You can also prep the entire dinner ahead of time then refrigerate and bake when ready for all those busy weeknights. Winner winner, salsa chicken dinner!

📝 Ingredients

• 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 large breasts cut in half (about 24 oz.)
• 1 Tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 tsp EACH ground cumin, garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp EACH onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt
• 1 15 oz. can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 15 oz. can corn (drained and rinsed)
• 1 15 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes, drained (optional if not using chunky salsa)
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 4 oz. can mild chopped green chiles
• 1 1/2 cups salsa (divided)
• 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Monterrey Jack cheese
• Fresh cilantro chopped (optional (to taste))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. 2Whisk the seasonings together; set aside. Pound chicken to an even thickness. Pat dry then drizzle the top of the chicken with olive oil or butter. Sprinkle half of the seasonings over the chicken and rub in. Flip chicken and repeat; set aside.
3. 3Add beans, corn, rice, green chilies, 1 cup salsa 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Stir to combine then spread into an even layer. Add the chicken on top of the mixture. Spoon 1/2 cup salsa over the chicken.
4. 4Bake, uncovered for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (reaches 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer). Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts, so I recommend using an instant read thermometer to know when it is done. If needed, continue to bake an additional 10-20 minutes OR until chicken is cooked through.
5. 5Remove the chicken from the oven and sprinkle with the cheeses. Bake an additional 4-5 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.
6. 6Garnish with sour cream, avocados fresh cilantro etc.