Salsa Chicken Recipe and Make Ahead Instructions

This salsa chicken recipe is one of the easiest and most flavorful chicken dishes out there.

It’s super simple to prepare and a sure kid pleaser, plus it’s healthy.

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Salsa Chicken Recipe

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 Tbsps taco or Mexican seasoning
  • ½ cup salsa
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Optional Toppings

  • sour cream
  • chives or green onions
  • guacamole

I’ve made this with bone in chicken pieces and they are much harder to eat, I really recommend boneless chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe.

Place chicken in the crockpot or inside a lined baking dish, sprinkle seasoning on top of chicken then pour salsa on top.

Turn on crockpot for 4-6 hours, until done or bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, until done.

Top with cheese and let melt after the chicken is cooked through.

Add sour cream and chives just before serving.

How Can I Make This Healthier
This salsa chicken recipe is a pretty healthy to start with, chicken is a lean meat and the salsa is full of veggies.

  • Use skinless chicken to keep the fat content down, cut off the skin yourself if you have to.
  • Serve more veggies on the side, corn is great for this.
  • Use less or low fat sour cream and cheddar cheese.

What Other Variations Can I Try?
Change up the seasoning, use a fajita seasoning, make your own Mexican seasoning or add more cumin or garlic or chili powder to taste.

Try different salsas or cheeses.

To Freeze Salsa Chicken
This dish really is prettier with the salsa and cheese on top so I freeze them separately.

Put the chicken in a large freezer bag and add the seasoning.

Give it a shake to coat all the chicken.

Place coasted chicken on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet to flash freeze if you want to cook the dish from frozen.

Once frozen solid put the chicken back in the freezer bag.

Next put the salsa and shredded cheese into separate small freezer bags.

Put the cheese and salsa bags inside the large bag with the chicken to keep them all together.

Label the large bag as Salsa Chicken and include the date, freeze flat and add to your freezer inventory.

To Thaw and Cook
Thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight unless you flash froze the individual pieces.

Crockpot: Place chicken in the crock pot and top with salsa. Cook 4-6 hours or until done.

Top with cheese and let melt or help it melt by putting it under the oven broiler for a minute or two.

Top with sour cream, chives and anything else you want.

Oven: I like to line a baking dish with sides with aluminum foil to make clean up easier.

Then place the chicken in the dish and top with salsa.

Bake for 25-30 minutes for thawed chicken, 40-45 minutes if frozen and check for doneness.

When done, remove the chicken and top with cheese.

Let cheese melt as the chicken rests at room temperature.

Top with sour cream, chives and anything else you want before serving.

Learn more about quick, easy chicken recipes.

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