Cheesy Salsa Chicken Bake
By
Janice Bartholome
@2HandsForHim
1
This is a super-easy, delicious dish to bake just before you leave for a potluck. Wrap your cake dish in foil and a big beach towel, and it will stay hot enough to be good for quite awhile. It’s even good when it cools off.
For a main dish at home, pair it with a dish of 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 rest of the ingredients. The baking time is a little longer for the bigger pieces of chicken, maybe 25-30 minutes.
For a main dish at home, pair it with a dish of 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 rest of the ingredients. The baking time is a little longer for the bigger pieces of chicken, maybe 25-30 minutes.
Ingredients
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1 ½-2 lbfresh or thawed boneless, skinless chicken tenders, cut into smaller pieces
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1 24-oz. jar(s)very chunky salsa, as spicy (or mild) as you like (this is actually a little skimpy, 30 oz. would cover the chicken better.)
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1-2 cshredded mexican blend cheese (or use plain cheddar or your preference )
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1 cchopped green onions, including tops
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½-1 csour cream (optional)
How to Make Cheesy Salsa Chicken Bake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9x13 cake dish with cooking spray. (I used a disposable aluminum pan, but I 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. - Spread chicken pieces evenly in bottom of cake dish.
- Pour salsa over chicken.
- Bake uncovered about 20 minutes. Check for doneness.
When chicken is done, remove dish from oven and sprinkle cheese over top of salsa. Sprinkle green onion over cheese, reserving a little for garnish. - 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.
