This salsa chicken is chicken breasts coated in taco seasoning, salsa and cheese, then baked to perfection. A quick and easy meal that the whole family is sure to love.

When I’m looking for dinner recipes in a hurry, I often turn to easy chicken dishes. My kids adore baked lemon chicken, cornflake chicken and this super easy salsa chicken. You can serve this chicken over rice, or cut it up and wrap it in tortillas for burritos or fajitas.

A dish of baked salsa chicken topped with cheese and sour cream.

Sometimes I just need to get dinner on the table without a lot of fanfare, and this salsa chicken is the perfect solution. It literally takes 5 minutes to put together and everyone in my house likes Mexican food so this meal is always a big hit.

For a Mexican food feast, enjoy this chicken with corn salsa, stuffed poblano peppers and black beans and rice.

Salsa Chicken Ingredients

To make this salsa chicken recipe you will need chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, cheddar cheese, sour cream and sliced green onions.

Poultry in a baking dish topped with taco seasoning.

How Do You Make Salsa Chicken?

When you make salsa chicken first set your oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and pour a layer of salsa on the bottom of your dish. Place chicken breasts on the salsa in your baking pan. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken. Next, pour the remaining salsa over the chicken. Bake the chicken until cooked through. Take the dish out of the oven and sprinkle on shredded cheddar cheese. Place the chicken back in the oven until the cheese melts. Finally, remove the chicken from the oven and serve it with a little sour cream and some sliced green onions on top.

Chicken breasts in a baking dish coated with salsa.

Tips For The Perfect Salsa Chicken

  • You can make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
  • Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese tends to have anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well.
  • This recipe is designed for thawed chicken breasts. If you have frozen chicken, thaw it before making this recipe.
  • You can buy taco seasoning or make your own taco seasoning!
  • You can also shred this salsa chicken and serve it in tacos or burritos or enjoy it on top of nachos or a salad.

Quick Tip

Try to choose chicken pieces that are about the same size and thickness so that they cook evenly.

White meat poultry topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

Recipe FAQs

What temperature do you bake chicken?

I bake my chicken breasts at 375 degrees F. The chicken typically takes around 30 minutes to cook. If you’re not sure if your chicken is done, you can cut into it to make sure it’s not pink, or use a thermometer. A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should read 165 degrees F when the chicken is done.

How long does salsa chicken last?

Salsa chicken lasts 3 days in an airtight container in a refrigerator. If you want to save salsa chicken leftovers, store them without the sour cream and green onions. Put toppings on your chicken when you serve the dish.

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Salsa chicken served over Mexican rice with broccoli.

Flavor Variations

This salsa chicken is delicious as-is; however, you can customize it to your own taste.

  • Toppings: I typically top my chicken with sour cream and green onions, but sometimes I add other toppings such as diced tomatoes, olives, fresh cilantro leaves, tortillas strips, avocado slices or a squeeze of lime juice.
  • Salsa: You can use any type of salsa you like. I typically use a mild red salsa. Other great options are salsa verde, Chipotle salsa or even enchilada sauce.
  • Flavorings: For extra flavor, feel free to add black pepper, salt, cumin or garlic powder.
  • Cheese: You can use Monterey Jack cheese, pepper jack cheese or a Mexican cheese blend.
  • Spicy: For a spicier dish, try using a hot salsa or adding hot sauce, chili powder or slices of jalapeno peppers.

You can serve this recipe as is, or sometimes I cut the cooked chicken into strips and serve up a side of warm tortillas, Mexican rice, and beans for people to make tacos with. Regardless of how you serve it, it’s a healthy and easy dinner you can feel good about feeding to your family!

More Chicken Dinners

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5 from 24 votes

Salsa Chicken

AuthorSara Welch
A dish of baked salsa chicken topped with cheese and sour cream.
This salsa chicken is chicken breasts coated in taco seasoning, salsa and cheese, then baked to perfection. A quick and easy meal that the whole family is sure to love.
Time
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Serves 4

Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons green onions sliced
  • cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread 1/2 cup of salsa in an even layer in the bottom of the dish. Place the chicken breasts on top.
  • Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the chicken.
  • Pour the remaining salsa over the chicken.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken. 
  • Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • Top each chicken breast with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkling of green onions, then serve.

Notes

  1. You can make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
  2. Try to choose chicken pieces that are about the same size and thickness so that they cook evenly.
  3. Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese tends to have anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 681mg | Potassium: 743mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 990IU | Vitamin C: 4.2mg | Calcium: 254mg | Iron: 1.1mg

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5 from 24 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My family loved this salsa chicken. We made chicken burritos with it. The chicken is so tender and packed with flavor.

  2. 5 stars
    The combination of tender, juicy chicken with the tangy and flavorful salsa is just delicious. It’s incredibly easy to make and always a hit with my family.

  3. 5 stars
    Your salsa chicken dish was a delightful surprise. The tender chicken paired perfectly with the vibrant salsa, creating a burst of flavor in every bite. The simplicity of the recipe made it easy to follow, resulting in a satisfying meal that’s sure to become a staple in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!