Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake Recipe

Introduction

Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines juicy chicken with a fresh tomato-based salsa and melted cheese. It’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner packed with a healthy, zesty punch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced (or Roma or grape tomatoes)
• 1 medium white onion, chopped (or red or yellow onion)
• 1 large jalapeño, chopped (or bell peppers for less spice)
• A bunch of cilantro, chopped (or fresh parsley)
• Juice of 1/2 lime (or lemon juice)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced (or chicken thighs or turkey breasts)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika powder (or smoked paprika)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder (or fresh garlic or garlic flakes)
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (optional, omit for no spice)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (or any melting cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with oil.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine the diced cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix thoroughly to create the salsa fresca.
3. Step 3: Arrange the diced chicken breasts evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Season the chicken with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes (if using), black pepper, and the remaining salt.
4. Step 4: Toss the chicken to ensure each piece is well coated with the seasoning.
5. Step 5: Spread the prepared tomato salsa mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top of the tomato layer.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with extra cilantro before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use smoked paprika for a richer, smoky flavor.
• Swap the chicken breast for thighs or turkey breasts for different textures and flavors.
• For a milder dish, replace jalapeño with sweet bell peppers and omit red chili flakes.
• Any melting cheese works well—try cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend for a twist.
• If you dislike cilantro, fresh parsley is a great alternative to maintain freshness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through or microwave in short intervals to keep the chicken tender and the cheese melty.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, simply omit the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese substitute that melts well to keep the dish creamy without dairy.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. This dish stores well and can be prepared in advance. Just bake it fresh or reheat leftovers when ready to eat for a quick and nutritious meal.

Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 148 reviews

Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake is a flavorful and healthy baked chicken dish topped with a fresh and zesty tomato salsa and melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make recipe combines juicy chicken breast with a vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro, all baked to perfection in the oven for a delicious, wholesome meal.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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)
• A bunch of cilantro, chopped (or fresh parsley)
• Juice of ½ lime (or lemon juice)
• ½ tsp salt, divided

Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced (or chicken thighs/turkey breast)
• ½ tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika powder (or smoked paprika)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (or fresh garlic/garlic flakes)
• ¼ tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional for less spice)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Tomato Mix: In a bowl, combine the diced cherry tomatoes, chopped white onion, chopped jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix thoroughly until well combined to create a fresh salsa fresca.
3. Season the Chicken: Place the diced chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle cumin, paprika, garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes, black pepper, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt evenly over the chicken. Toss well to coat all chicken pieces with the seasonings evenly.
4. Add Tomato Mix Topping: Spoon the prepared tomato salsa mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken in the casserole dish, spreading it gently to cover the chicken.
5. Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomato mixture on top of the chicken.
6. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, garnish the chicken bake with extra chopped cilantro for a fresh finish. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• Use bell peppers instead of jalapeño for a milder dish if you prefer less spice.
• Smoked paprika enhances a deeper smoky flavor but regular paprika works well too.
• Substitute chicken thighs or turkey breast for the chicken breast for variation.
• Lemon juice can replace lime juice if you prefer a slightly different citrus brightness.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free when using gluten-free cheese and ingredients.
• For a stronger garlic flavor, use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
• Check internal chicken temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

Keywords: Salsa Fresca, Chicken Bake, Baked Chicken, Mexican Chicken, Healthy Chicken Recipe, Gluten Free Chicken Bake