Baked Salsa Chicken Recipe (with video)

Name: Baked Salsa Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; 16 oz refried beans (canned or homemade); 1 cup 15 oz can black beans; ¾ cup corn (canned or frozen); 2 cups chunky salsa (divided); 1 packet taco seasoning or use 1 ½ tablespoon taco seasoning; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (used white and yellow cheddar); Salt to taste; Pepper to taste; Fresh cilantro

Baked salsa chicken recipe is scrumptious casserole style dinner that takes 40 minutes to cook. Juicy flavorful chicken baked along with layers of delicious Mexican ingredients like refried beans, black beans, corn and salsa topped with loads of cheese!

healthy baked salsa chicken recipe in dish

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Why Salsa Chicken Should Be Your Next Dinner?
Ingredients You’ll Need
How To Make Baked Salsa Chicken
Helpful Tips For Baked Salsa Chicken Recipe
Baked Salsa Chicken

Why Salsa Chicken Should Be Your Next Dinner?

1. So little prep work, you’ll need handful of canned food.
2. It’s almost dump-and-bake casserole style dinner. For extra flavors sear chicken in pan before dumping into the casserole dish, choose to skip if you are too lazy.
3. It’s quick, easy to make delicious in taste.
4. Bring dinner to the table in 40 minutes. Great meal for busy weekdays.
5. This dish packs a punch of flavors and textures.
6. Juicy moist chicken is slathered in tangy salsa and loads of cheese! Guaranteed crowd pleaser!
7. Endless possibilities on how you can serve this dish – stuff in tacos or quesadillas, over a bed of rice, over a bowl of salad, depending on your mood and what is available.
8. Nutrient rich food which is high in protein and fiber.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make baked salsa chicken-

4 chicken breasts
16 oz refried beans, canned or homemade
1 cup (15 oz) black beans
¾ cup corn, canned or frozen
2 cups chunky salsa, divided
1 packet taco seasoning or use 1 ½ tablespoon taco seasoning
one tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese (used white and yellow cheddar)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

For garnish-

Fresh cilantro

Ingredients Additions & Substitutions

Add an extra layer of cream cheese for richness and added taste.

Feel free to use cotija cheese or other Mexican cheese blend in place of cheddar.

How To Make Baked Salsa Chicken

Pre heat oven at 375°F.
If chicken breasts are large, slice it into half lengthwise. Pat dry chicken breast completely in kitchen towel. Season chicken breast with salt, pepper and taco seasoning on both sides. Rub to evenly spread the seasoning.
Heat olive oil in cast iron pan or any heavy bottom pan. Sear chicken breast on both sides by cooking it for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Remove from the pan and set it aside.
Grease a casserole or baking dish with cooking spray.
If you choose to use cream cheese, add it as first layer on the baking dish. I skipped cream cheese.
Add refried beans and spread it evenly on the casserole baking dish.
Add a layer of black beans. You can add as much or as little you prefer according to your taste preference. Canned black beans should be drained and rinsed before you use.
Add a layer of corn. If using canned corn, drain it completely and use.

step by step picture collage of baked salsa chicken recipe

Add half the quantity of salsa and spread evenly.
Sprinkle little salt, pepper and taco seasoning.
Place seared chicken breast on top of salsa.
Top each chicken breast with remaining salsa. Spread evenly all over the breast.
Sprinkle loads of fresh grated cheese on top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Bake in pre-heated oven at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and chicken is cooked through. Note: if you have meat thermometer use it to check doneness of chicken, internal temperature of chicken should read 165°F
Garnish baked salsa chicken with fresh cilantro.
Serve.
Baked salsa chicken serving ideas – stuff in tacos or stuff in quesadillas – shred chicken, mix it with beans. Serve it over tacos with sour cream, guacamole, rice and tortilla chips, or serve with Mexican rice, or serve with salad bowl.

Helpful Tips For Baked Salsa Chicken Recipe

1. If chicken is too large cut into half lengthwise for quicker cooking time and to ensure chicken breast is cooked in the center.
2. For maximum flavor and taste don’t skip to sear seasoned chicken breast in a pan before arranging it in casserole dish.
3. Choose any type of salsa that you like, but chunky salsa works best for this recipe. Use either homemade or store bought. Pour salsa along with all the liquids in it to keep chicken breast moist and juicy.
4. Refried beans, black bean, corn all together with chicken makes it a completely meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m too lazy. Can I skip searing chicken breasts?

I wouldn’t recommend it. For maximum flavor and taste don’t skip to sear seasoned chicken breast in a pan before arranging it in casserole dish.

What can I substitute for taco seasoning?

If you don’t have stock of taco seasoning it’s really easy to make your own seasoning. Simply mix 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin and use it in baked salsa chicken recipe.

Can I use frozen chicken breast for this recipe?

I always thaw frozen chicken breast first for this recipe but I guess you can use frozen chicken breast if you forget to take out the chicken out of freezer. Frozen chicken will need extra time to bake, my guess is you’ll need double the time to bake as compared to baking fresh (or thawed) chicken.
Remember with frozen chicken, you won’t be able to sear chicken before arranging it in casserole dish. So they will be slight flavor and taste difference comparatively.
Or alternatively, use instant pot if you have to make salsa chicken.

My chicken breast was raw in the middle. What went wrong?

Most probably your chicken breast was too large. If chicken is too large cut into half lengthwise for quicker cooking time and to ensure chicken breast is cooked in the center. Also if you have meat thermometer use it to check doneness of chicken, internal temperature of chicken should read 165°F

How to serve baked salsa chicken?

There are endless possibilities on how you can serve salsa chicken.
Make a taco – Shred chicken after it’s baked and mix the layers of black beans, corn. Stuff inside warm tortillas and top it with sour cream, guacamole, diced onions, fresh cilantro and nacho chips.
Make a burrito – stuff it inside tortillas, layer it with cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice, add shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, green onion. Roll it all tight, sealing the ends. Warm it on a pan on all sides, serve.
You can also make a burrito bowl of it.
Make a salad – add you salad greens to a bowl. Top it with sliced baked salsa chicken with black beans and corn. Serve.

cheesy salsa chicken baked in casserole dish

MORE RECIPES TO TRY:

Lebanese Baked Chicken And Potatoes

Baked Chicken Meatballs

Baked Tilapia Recipes

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