Easy Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake Recipe
This Easy Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake is a flavorful and healthy dish combining seasoned diced chicken breast with fresh salsa fresca topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner, it features a bright tomato mix with jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice baked together for a mouthwatering, juicy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Mix
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced (or Roma/grape tomatoes)
- 1 medium white onion, chopped (or red/yellow onion)
- 1 large jalapeño, chopped (or bell pepper for less spice)
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped (or fresh parsley)
- 1/2 lime, juiced (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 tsp salt, divided
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced (or chicken thighs/turkey breasts)
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika powder (or smoked paprika)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder (or fresh garlic/garlic flakes)
- 1/4 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare. Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with oil to prevent sticking.
- Make the Tomato Mix. In a bowl, combine diced cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt, mixing thoroughly to blend the fresh flavors.
- Season the Chicken. Spread the diced chicken breasts onto the prepared baking dish and season evenly with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes, and black pepper.
- Toss the Chicken. Mix or toss the chicken pieces gently in the dish to ensure all pieces are well coated with the seasoning.
- Add Tomato Mix. Spread the prepared tomato salsa mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken in the casserole dish.
- Top with Cheese. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the tomato layer to create a delicious melted topping.
- Bake and Garnish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with extra cilantro before serving.
Notes
- For a milder dish, substitute jalapeño with bell peppers and omit red chili flakes.
- Use smoked paprika for a richer smoky flavor.
- Chicken thighs or turkey breasts can be used instead of chicken breasts for different textures.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- This dish is gluten-free when using appropriate cheese and ingredients.
Keywords: Salsa Fresca, Chicken Bake, Easy Dinner, Mexican Chicken, Healthy Chicken Recipe, Baked Chicken, Fresh Tomato Salsa
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/easy-salsa-fresca-chicken-bake-recipe/
