Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake Recipe
Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake is a vibrant and flavorful baked chicken dish topped with a fresh salsa mixture of cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, and lime juice, finished with melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a healthy and delicious family dinner that combines zesty, spicy, and savory flavors all in one dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salsa Fresca
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 large jalapeño, chopped
- A bunch of cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1/4 tsp salt (for salsa)
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless, diced
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red chili pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt (for chicken)
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with oil to prevent sticking.
- Make Salsa Fresca: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir well to blend the flavors and set aside.
- Season the Chicken: Arrange the diced chicken breasts evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with cumin, paprika powder, garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes, black pepper, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss gently to ensure all pieces are well coated with the seasonings.
- Assemble the Bake: Spoon the salsa fresca mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken. Top the entire dish with the shredded mozzarella cheese, spreading it uniformly.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with extra fresh cilantro before serving hot.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is diced uniformly for even cooking.
- You can adjust the heat level by reducing or omitting the jalapeño and red chili flakes.
- For a lighter version, substitute mozzarella with part-skim cheese or reduce the amount used.
- Serving this dish with a side of rice or warm tortillas complements the flavors well.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Salsa Fresca, Chicken Bake, Mexican Chicken, Baked Chicken Recipe, Easy Dinner, Mozzarella Chicken, Spicy Chicken Bake
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/salsa-fresca-chicken-bake-recipe-3/
