By Becky Hardin
Published Apr 9, 2023
Bright, tangy, and beautifully cheesy, this flavorful Salsa Verde Chicken will be the best dinner you make all week. This easy chicken bake is a tasty Mexican dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
What’s in Baked Salsa Verde Chicken?
The key to meal prep? Simple ingredients, an airtight container, and your new favorite way to make chicken. This is the easiest salsa verde chicken recipe to master.
- Spices: Have that chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika ready!
- Olive Oil : This kitchen staple has entered the chat.
- Chicken Breasts: We’re using chicken breasts here, but skinless chicken thighs and tenders work great too!
- Salsa Verde: Homemade salsa verde or store-bought; either one works!
- Cheese: We’re using Monterey Jack here!
Variations on Chicken with Salsa Verde
There are tons of ways to change up this chicken dish. For creamy salsa verde chicken, mix the salsa verde with 4 ounces of softened cream cheese and ½ cup of sour cream before adding it to the chicken.
For spicier salsa verde chicken, add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a jar of green chiles to the seasoning blend. You can also top your chicken with chopped fresh jalapeños for an extra kick!
You can also shred the chicken to serve with tortilla chips , in tacos, chicken enchiladas , or even add to a white chicken chili !
Salsa verde is a delicious green salsa made from tomatillos, which are a variety of green tomatoes. It has a slightly brighter and more acidic flavor than traditional red salsa or pico de gallo.
You sure can! Just be aware that thighs may take a bit longer to bake.
Yes! Crockpot salsa verde chicken is just as delicious! Add the seasoned chicken and salsa verde to your slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours. You may shred the chicken or leave it whole, then add the cheese and cook for 15-20 minutes more, until melted.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover salsa verde chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in 30-second bursts in the microwave or in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze salsa verde chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. I recommend freezing the chicken without the cheese, then adding the cheese just before reheating for the best results.
What to Serve with Salsa Verde Chicken Bake
This easy recipe plays well with others. Serve it on a bed of Cilantro Lime Rice and Homemade Refried Beans or shred the chicken and use it to make Chicken Taquitos . Last, but certainly not least, this dish pairs best with a simple margarita .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 chicken breasts)
- ▢ 16 ounces salsa verde store-bought or homemade (1 jar)
- ▢ 1½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- ▢ Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
- ▢ Chopped green onion optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish and set aside.
- Combine the chili powder, cumin, salt, and smoked paprika in a small dish. 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Rub the seasoning and olive oil over the chicken. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Place the chicken in a greased dish and pour the salsa verde over the chicken. 16 ounces salsa verde
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted. 1½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.
- Top the chicken with cilantro and green onion. Chopped fresh cilantro, Chopped green onion
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Becky’s Tips
- Feel free to swap the cheese for your favorite kind. A Mexican cheese blend would be delicious.
- You. may cover the chicken with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to seal in moisture.
- Take care not to overcook the chicken, or else it will become dry.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Salsa Chicken Recipes We Love
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Baked Salsa Chicken
- Mango Salsa Chicken
- Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas
- Cowboy Chicken Breast
Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 chicken breasts)
- 16 ounces salsa verde store-bought or homemade (1 jar)
- 1½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
- Chopped green onion optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish and set aside.
- Combine the chili powder, cumin, salt, and smoked paprika in a small dish. 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Rub the seasoning and olive oil over the chicken. 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Place the chicken in a greased dish and pour the salsa verde over the chicken. 16 ounces salsa verde
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted. 1½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F.
- Top the chicken with cilantro and green onion. Chopped fresh cilantro, Chopped green onion
Video
Notes
- Feel free to swap the cheese for your favorite kind. A Mexican cheese blend would be delicious.
- You. may cover the chicken with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to seal in moisture.
- Take care not to overcook the chicken, or else it will become dry.
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
