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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Baked Salsa Chicken

    Published: Jul 17, 2024 · Modified: Apr 3, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 10 Comments

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    This cheesy and savory Baked Chicken Salsa needs just 5 ingredients and a few minutes of kitchen time to make.  Team it up with some pasta or rice or even just some mashed potatoes, and some veggies, and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy! 

    A plate with baked chicken breast topped with melted cheese and tomato salsa, garnished with parsley, served with sliced avocado and corn.

    I’ve been using salsa for a lot of my recipes recently- its savory and tangy deliciousness livens up almost everything. I love teaming up my crockpot chicken tacos with fresh salsa, and quite recently, I also tried using up some of my salsa to make a nice cream cheese salsa dip, and it turned out lip-smacking delicious.

    And then I thought, why not use a jar to jazz up the chicken I had lying in my freezer? And here we are! 

     Why You’ll Love This Baked Salsa Chicken Recipe

    • Super easy: If easy, simple dinners are your thing, you’re going to love this quick salsa chicken recipe.
    • Family favorite: The tangy, savory, and cheesy flavors of this dish are going to make it a total family favorite for sure!
    • Versatile: Pair the chicken with a side salad or over some leftover rice or noodles - it works wonderfully with almost anything.
    • Affordable: This salsa chicken bake comes together with just a few pantry staples and is a great healthy and affordable meal option.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make baked salsa chicken on the table before preparing.
    • Chicken: Start with boneless, skinless chicken breast. You could use other cuts of chicken instead if that’s what you prefer. Just make sure you use the boneless, skinless version. 
    • Salsa: This one is the main flavor component of the dish, so make sure you choose the right kind. I would recommend using any classic tomato-based salsa here. 
    • Cheese soup: To bring some extra flavor and sauciness, I used condensed cheddar cheese soup. 
    • Cheese: You’ll also need lots of cheese! Choose cheddar or Mexican cheese blend for best results. Pre-shredded cheese works too, but if you can, always buy a block and grate it fresh! 
    • Taco seasoning: And of course, a dash of the ultimate seasoning blend that can jazz up almost any meal! 

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Load it up: To add extra flavor and deliciousness, load up the salsa chicken with guacamole, sliced avocados, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and/or chopped cilantro! 
    • Veggie matters: Chopped or sliced veggies can be wonderful additions to this saucy chicken dish. Bell peppers, broccoli, corn, olives, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms are all great choices. 
    • Bean time: You can also add a can of black beans to bulk up this meal. It's a great way to stretch the meal when cooking on a budget.
    • Spice it up: Want your baked salsa chicken to have a kick of heat? Use a spicy salsa or add in some chopped jalapenos. You can even experiment with this jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to add some extra heat.

    How to Make Baked Salsa Chicken

    Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and covering a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with tin foil, sprayed with cooking spray. 

    Chicken breasts on a foil-lined baking tray sprinkled with seasoning and bowls of salsa, cheese, and other ingredients in small bowls.

    Step 1: Season chicken. Sprinkle and coat the chicken breasts with taco seasoning and transfer to the baking pan. 

    Salsa chicken sauce mixed up in a glass bowl on the table.

    Step 2: Prepare sauce. In a bowl, combine the cheddar cheese soup and salsa. Pour this over the chicken breasts. 

    Sauced poured over chicken in a foil lined baking dish.

    Step 3: Bake until tender. Cover the baking pan with foil and cook for about 50-60 minutes.

    Cooked salsa chicken is topped with shredded cheese.

    Step 4: Top and broil. Remove the pan and top the chicken with shredded cheese and your toppings. Set the oven to broil and pop the pan back in. Cook for until the cheese browns.

    ⭐️ Hint: Shred the leftover chicken, mix it into the cheesy salsa mixture, and use the concoction as a dip, teamed up with some nachos or tortilla chips.

    If you love easy chicken recipes like this one, you may also enjoy my Spicy Chicken Wrap, Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken, Crockpot Apricot Chicken, Chicken Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup, Crock Pot Chicken Nachos or our Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe!

    For more dinner recipes, try our Lazy Lasagna or our Uses For Shredded Chicken Round-Up which has many delicious chicken dishes to choose from.

    A hand holds a fork with a piece of salsaa chicken topped with sauce above a plate of sliced avocado, corn, jalapeños, and a baked chicken dish with salsa in the background.

    Storage Directions

    • Storing: Got any leftovers? Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerator. They should stay good for 2-3 days or you can freeze them for up to three months.
    • Reheating: The best way to reheat the baked salsa chicken is to pop it in the microwave for a few minutes or you can reheat it covered in the oven. If frozen, thaw them out in the fridge overnight before reheating.
    • Make Ahead: Make the dish completely and wrap it well to store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then, when you want to make it, all you need to do is allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, and bake it the next day until it's heated through.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve it up with all your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

    Any kind of rice or pasta can be the perfect pair for this chicken with salsa recipe. I love pairing it with my cheesy broccoli rice, and sometimes, I just stick to microwave rice when I’m in a hurry. And if you want to enjoy this as a low-carb meal, team it up with cauliflower rice. 

    This salsa-baked chicken also tastes great when served with slow cooker corn on the cob or zucchini squash casserole.

    Salsa baked chicken on a plate with rice, corn, and sliced avocado.

    Recipe Tips

    • Choose right: Pick chicken breasts that are more or less the same size, and also the same in terms of thickness. This will ensure that they’re cooked to perfection in the same amount of time.
    • Slice it right: If the chicken breasts seem too thick, consider slicing them into thinner strips cutlets. Doing this will help them cook faster too.
    • Tenderize: Another trick to make the chicken breasts easier to cook is to use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound it before you use it for the recipe. Doing this will also help it get to an even thickness, and therefore, cook more evenly too. 
    • Salsa pick: Use jarred or homemade salsa- whatever you prefer. If the salsa seems too watery, drain the excess liquid and use the thicker portion. Use a tomato-based salsa for best results.
    • Wait up: As much as you’re tempted to dig right in, let the salsa chicken rest for 8-10 minutes before you start to serve it. Doing this will help the chicken reabsorb all the juices that have seeped out during the cooking process.

    Recipe FAQs

    The chicken is drying out. What do I do?

    If you notice the sauce drying up, add a splash of water or some more salsa to loosen it up and get it to the right consistency.

    How will I know if the chicken is cooked?

    The easiest, no-fail way to check for the doneness of the chicken is to use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature.

    A fork cutting into a cheesy, baked chicken dish with tomato sauce, corn, avocado slices, and jalapeños on a plate.

    How to Make It Video

    YouTube video

    More Delicious Chicken Recipes

    Do you like cooking chicken for dinner? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

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    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A plate with baked salsa chicken garnished with herbs, accompanied by corn, tomatoes and sliced avocado.

    Cheesy Baked Salsa Chicken

    Karin and Ken
    Tender, succulent chicken breasts are coated in a tangy, savory salsa and cheese sauce in this baked salsa chicken recipe that comes together in just minutes!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 55 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 341 kcal

    Equipment

    • rimmed baking sheet
    • 13 x 9 inch cake pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
    • 1 jar (15 ½ oz) salsa
    • 1 can (10 ¾ oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
    • 1 cup cheese, shredded, Mexican blend, more or less to taste
    • 3 tablespoon Taco seasoning homemade blend or 1 package
    • cooking spray
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with tinfoil and coat with cooking spray.  Set aside.
    • Coat all sides of the chicken breasts with Taco seasoning. Place the chicken breasts in baking pan. 
    • In a medium bowl, combine cheddar cheese soup and salsa. Pour and spread over the top of each chicken breast. Cover with tinfoil. 
    • Place in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes or until juices run clear. 
    • Remove from oven. Set oven to broil. Take off tinfoil and sprinkle cheese on each chicken breast. Put back in the oven for about 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and browned. Remove from the oven and serve with rice or whatever you desire! Spoon pan juices on top of the rice. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Choose right: Pick chicken breasts that are more or less the same size, and also the same in terms of thickness. This will ensure that they’re cooked to perfection, all together. 
    • Slice it right: If the chicken breasts seem too thick, consider slicing them into thinner strips cutlets. Doing this will help them cook faster too.
    • Tenderize: Another trick to make the chicken breasts easier to cook is to use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound it before you use it for the recipe. Doing this will also help it get to an even thickness, and therefore, cook more evenly too. 
    • Salsa pick: Use jarred or homemade salsa- whatever you prefer. If the salsa seems too watery, drain the excess liquid and use the thicker portion. Use a tomato-based salsa for best results.
    • Wait up: As much as you’re tempted to dig right in, let the salsa chicken rest for 8-10 minutes before you start to serve it. Doing this will help the chicken reabsorb all the juices that have seeped out during the cooking process.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 33gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 1586mgPotassium: 1067mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1326IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 260mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword baked salsa chicken, salsa chicken recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Lise says

      August 18, 2024 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, Karin, I took a chance and tried it with the cheese soup. WOW. It was super delicious and my husband love it. Thank you for the good recipes.
      Next time I will try it with the chicken soup . Have a great day and thank you again.😀😊

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        August 18, 2024 at 5:52 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoyed this easy recipe. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. You made my day! All the best. Karin

    2. Lise says

      July 21, 2024 at 2:57 pm

      Look very tasty, but can you use cream of chicken soup instead of cheese soup because my husband is not very fussy for a lot of cheese ?
      Thank you very much and have a Nice day.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        July 21, 2024 at 3:15 pm

        I’ve never tried that but it would definitely work. I’m going to try that myself. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Enjoy your day! Karin

    3. Sarah says

      November 08, 2018 at 7:47 pm

      5 stars
      I was so excited to try this recipe and glad I did. Delicious and easy. Will make again

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        November 08, 2018 at 8:28 pm

        I love this recipe and it is a definite favorite around here! It is definitely easy and so tasty! Thank you for letting me know! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. I wish you all the best. Take care. Karin

    4. Samantha says

      August 17, 2016 at 12:59 am

      Excited to try this...sounds amazing..thank you

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        August 17, 2016 at 1:59 pm

        I apologize for my late response. You are welcome! We think this recipe is delicious. Please let us know what you think if you make it! We would love to hear. Take care and all the best. Karin

    5. bill a mousseau says

      June 08, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      I made this yesterday for my wife and i and she loved it as did i i bet it would go good with pork to anyway we give it a 5 star for taste

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        June 08, 2016 at 3:56 pm

        I bet the recipe would work for pork as well, I never thought of that. I am going to have to try that myself. If you do try it please let me know what you think. I would love to hear. Regardless you made my day! I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hopefully you find some other recipes that you enjoy on our site as well. Take care and have a fabulous day! All the best. Karin

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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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