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Baked Salsa Chicken (5 Ingredients, One Pan) Recipe

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4 from 87 reviews

A simple and flavorful baked salsa chicken recipe using just five ingredients and one pan. Tender boneless skinless chicken breasts are seasoned with taco seasoning, seared for a delicious crust, then baked in chunky tomato salsa and topped with melted cheddar cheese for a comforting and easy dinner.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 2 large) (about 600g / ~1 ¼lb)
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Salsa & Cheese

  • 1 ½ cups chunky tomato salsa (375ml)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar (150g / 5 ⅓oz)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan forced) or 400°F to prepare for baking the chicken.
  2. Prepare the chicken: If using large breasts, slice them into thinner cutlets by cutting horizontally through the thickness. Then place chicken under plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet or heavy pan until even thickness to ensure even cooking.
  3. Season the chicken: Sprinkle half the taco seasoning over one side of the chicken, flip, sprinkle the remaining seasoning on the other side, and rub all over to coat evenly.
  4. Sear the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook 2-3 minutes per side until browned and releasing easily from the pan. Remove from heat.
  5. Layer salsa and chicken: Push the chicken to one side of the pan and spoon half a cup of salsa onto the base. Place the chicken back on top, then pour the remaining salsa evenly over the chicken. If your pan isn’t oven-safe, layer everything similarly in a baking dish.
  6. Add cheese and bake: Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the chicken and place the pan or dish in the oven. Bake 18-20 minutes until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part, ensuring it is cooked through and cheese melts perfectly.

Notes

  • Use a standard 20ml (Australian) tablespoon for measuring spices and oil to ensure accuracy.
  • Avoid pre-shredded cheese as additives prevent smooth melting; shred your own cheddar for best results.
  • Skipping the searing step is possible to save time: season chicken and layer directly in a casserole dish with salsa and cheese, then bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/baked-salsa-chicken-5-ingredients-one-pan-recipe/