Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

cheesy salsa chicken bake

(4 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Janice Bartholome
Port Hueneme, CA

This is a super easy and delicious dish to bake right before you leave for a potluck. Wrap your cake dish in foil and a big beach towel and it will stay hot enough for quite a while. It’s even good when it cools off. For a main dish at home, pair it with Spanish rice or pinto beans and a salad, and you have a quick, satisfying meal for a big family. For a smaller family use four boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an 8x8 baking dish and cut down on the remaining ingredients. The baking time is a little longer for the big chicken pieces, maybe 25-30 minutes.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Need an easy recipe for dinnertime? Then keep this cheesy salsa chicken bake handy. Jarred salsa tenderizes and infuses flavor into the chicken while it bakes. The top is super cheesy, which is sure to please everyone at the table. Add a dollop of sour cream and a bit of guacamole on top for a dinner that's easy on the wallet.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(4 ratings)
yield 8 -12
prep time 15 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For cheesy salsa chicken bake

  • 1 1/2 - 2 lb
    fresh or thawed boneless, skinless chicken tenders, cut into smaller pieces
  • 24 oz
    very chunky salsa (as spicy or mild as you like)
  • 1-2 c
    shredded Mexican blend cheese (can use plain cheddar or your preference)
  • 1 c
    chopped green onions, including tops
  • 1/2 - 1 c
    sour cream (optional)

How To Make cheesy salsa chicken bake

  • Spraying a baking pan with non-stick spray.
    1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 cake dish with cooking spray. (I have used a disposable aluminum pan but doubled them—nested two and baked them on a baking sheet for stability. This way, I don’t have to worry about retrieving a dirty cake dish to bring home.)
  • Chicken tenders laid into baking dish.
    2
    Spread chicken pieces evenly in the bottom of the dish.
  • Salsa poured over the chicken.
    3
    Pour salsa over chicken.
  • Baking the salsa chicken.
    4
    Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes. Check for doneness.
  • Cheese and green onions are sprinkled over the salsa chicken.
    5
    When the chicken is done, remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle cheese over top of the salsa. Sprinkle green onion over cheese, reserving a little for garnish.
  • Baking until cheese is melted.
    6
    Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with dollops of sour cream just before serving, if desired, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped green onion for color.
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