Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake Recipe
Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining juicy diced chicken breast with a fresh salsa fresca mix of cherry tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime. Topped with melted mozzarella and baked to perfection, this dish offers a healthy, zesty meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- 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: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salsa Fresca Mix
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 large jalapeño, chopped
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1/4 tsp salt
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, 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
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and 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 white onion, chopped jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir well to blend all the fresh flavors.
- Season chicken: Arrange the diced chicken breast evenly on the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, red chili pepper flakes, black pepper, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss gently in the dish to coat the chicken thoroughly with the spices.
- Assemble the bake: Layer the prepared salsa fresca mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, ensuring even coverage.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese has melted and lightly browned.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle extra chopped cilantro on top for a fresh garnish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor in the salsa fresca.
- If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeño before chopping.
- You can substitute mozzarella with Monterey Jack or a mild cheddar for variation.
- Make sure the chicken is evenly diced to ensure uniform cooking.
- This dish pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: salsa fresca chicken bake, baked chicken, Mexican chicken bake, healthy chicken recipes, easy chicken bake
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/salsa-fresca-chicken-bake-recipe-4/
