Baked Salsa Mozzarella Chicken
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Baked salsa mozzarella chicken is the perfect easy weeknight dinner recipe. Healthy chicken breasts are browned in spices, then baked in the oven with salsa, mozzarella cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
This quick and easy idea can be served on its own or with pasta, rice or quinoa.
Easy Baked Chicken
- These chicken breasts are loaded with delicious textures and flavors. You’ll be surprised at how simple the ingredients are.
- For maximum flavor, the chicken breasts are first seared in a hot frying pan with oil. This helps to lock in moisture and keep the chicken tender.
- My husband calls this pizza without the bread. The salsa and mozzarella cheese are reminiscent of pizza flavors, while tortilla chips add the perfect crunch!
- Leftovers make an easy lunch to take to work or school. Just reheat in the microwave or toaster oven.
- For similar flavors try our easy dump and bake salsa chicken, the light and fresh bruschetta chicken, or the simple ingredients in mozzarella chicken in tomato sauce.
Recipe Ingredients
CHICKEN: A pack of four chicken breasts makes this healthy meal a breeze. I used approximately 1 ½ lbs total. You can use more or less depending on how many people to feed, with adjusted cooking times.
SPICES: Three simple spices add a lot of flavor. Chili powder, salt and ground pepper are mixed with olive oil and tossed with the raw chicken before browning in a frying pan.
TOPPINGS: Salsa, grated mozzarella cheese and crushed tortilla chips make this chicken oh soo good! Feel free to use a mild or spicy salsa and substitute mozzarella for any style of cheese you prefer. Cheddar, marble, monterey jack, swiss or feta will all work great here.
How To Make Baked Salsa Mozzarella Chicken Breasts
This is one of the easiest ways to make healthy flavorful chicken. Here’s a quick overview with full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Mix the oil and spices together in a large bowl. Toss with the chicken breasts.
- Brown the chicken in a hot frying pan, then add them to a baking dish.
- Pour salsa, mozzarella cheese and crushed tortilla chips overtop of the chicken.
- Serve and enjoy!
Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or toaster oven for an easy lunch.
Recipe Tips
- For a spicier meal, use hot salsa and drizzle cooked chicken with hot sauce.
- The best way to tell if the chicken is done is with a meat thermometer. Poke it through the center of the chicken breast to read the temperature. Once it reaches 165°F internally, it’s cooked.
- For crispier chicken coating, turn the oven setting to broil for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken during this time (so that it doesn’t burn).
- Tortilla chips on leftover chicken will absorb moisture and become soggy. Add freshly crumbled chips before reheating leftovers in the microwave.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
- Baked Orange Chicken Breasts are topped with orange zest and warming spices.
- Ranch Chicken Breasts are so easy, coated in ranch dressing and breadcrumbs.
- Maple Lemon Garlic Chicken Tenders are simple and fast with only six ingredients.
- Pineapple Chicken With Rice is a sweet-tasting 30-minute dinner.
- Pizza Chicken is low carb and perfect for busy weeknights.
Baked Salsa Mozzarella Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts - roughly 1 ½ lbs total
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together 1 Tbsp oil, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and toss them to coat evenly.
- Add 1 Tbsp of oil to a frying pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and brown on each side for 2 minutes.
- Place the browned chicken in a baking dish. Pour the salsa over top and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella chesse and crushed tortilla chips over top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked.
- Scoop on to dishes, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or toaster oven for an easy lunch.
- For a spicier meal, use hot salsa and drizzle cooked chicken with hot sauce.
- The best way to tell if the chicken is done is with a meat thermometer. Poke it through the center of the chicken breast to read the temperature. Once it reaches 165°F internally, it’s cooked.
- For crispier chicken coating, turn the oven setting to broil for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken during this time (so that it doesn’t burn).
- Tortilla chips on leftover chicken will absorb moisture and become soggy. Add freshly crumbled chips before reheating leftovers in the microwave.
Nutrition
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I think I will try this in an oven-safe frying pan so it becomes a 1 dish meal. However, I think that will mean that I won’t be able to broil at the end!