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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.

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)
  • 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

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/salsa-fresca-chicken-bake-recipe/