Description
This Skillet Salsa Chicken recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a flavorful salsa sauce and melted Mexican cheese blend. Cooked first on the stovetop for a golden sear, then finished in the oven to melt cheese and ensure thorough cooking, this dish is simple yet delicious, perfect for a quick dinner with a zesty twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Flour for dredging
Cooking Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) jar salsa (your favorite kind)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and adjust the rack to the middle position to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thinner cutlets. Season each piece evenly with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Then dredge the chicken in flour to lightly coat.
- Sear Chicken: In an oven-safe skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: Pour chicken broth into the hot skillet and scrape the bottom with a spoon to deglaze and lift up any browned bits. Stir in the jar of salsa until combined and heated through.
- Combine and Prepare to Bake: Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, nestling them into the salsa sauce. Let the sauce start to bubble, then spoon some salsa over the chicken. Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese evenly on top.
- Bake to Finish: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Using thinly sliced chicken cutlets ensures quick, even cooking and tender results.
- Dredging the chicken in flour helps create a nice sear and slightly thickens the sauce.
- An oven-safe skillet is essential for seamless stovetop to oven cooking.
- The salsa choice impacts flavor—try mild, medium, or spicy to suit your taste.
- Broiling at the end is optional but adds a delicious, bubbly golden crust to the cheese.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
