Salsa Chicken


One pan but tons of flavor, Salsa Chicken in perfect for a weeknight dinner or "date night".  After a quick browning, this dish requires no attention.  Choose your level of spice based your Salsa "heat".  Or use a gourmet salsa - mango, pineapple or peach!  The chicken is so moist and cleanup is easy!!! 

Yield: 4
Author: Mary

Salsa Chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to an even thickness)
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1⁄2 tablespoon chili powder (or to taste)
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika (or to taste)
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste)
  • 1 1/2 cups Chunky Salsa 
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375˚F.
  2.  Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet.  (no cast iron skillet  - see Note)
  3.  Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness and season with cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4.  Transfer to skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until just browned. Remove to a plate.
  5.  Spread about 1/2 cup salsa on the bottom of skillet.  
  6.  Arrange chicken breasts on top of salsa and spoon the remaining salsa over the chicken breasts.
  7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until chicken is done.
  8.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese. 
  9.  Bake for 3 to 4 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.  Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Note:  no cast iron skillet?  You can use any oven-safe skillet.  Or you can brown chicken in skillet,  then spread salsa in bottom of baking dish and follow remaining steps.