How to Make the Perfect 3 Ingredient Salsa Chicken
Mexican · Easy · 30 min · 4 servings
This 3 ingredient salsa chicken simmers tender chicken breasts in bold chunky salsa and tops them with melted pepper jack cheese for a fiesta-worthy dinner. Three pantry staple ingredients create a saucy and flavorful chicken dish that works beautifully over rice, in tacos, or in burritos.
Why this recipe works
This 3 Ingredient Salsa Chicken recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 290 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1.5 cups chunky salsa
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt. Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the salsa.
Step 2: Simmer in Salsa
Pour the chunky salsa over and around the seared chicken breasts. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the chicken simmer in the salsa for 15 to 18 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Melt
Sprinkle the shredded pepper jack cheese evenly over the top of each chicken breast. Cover the pan again for 2 minutes, or place under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Serve hot over rice or with warm tortillas.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- pepper jack cheese → cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese for a milder less spicy version of this 3 ingredient chicken
- chunky salsa → enchilada sauce for a deeper more complex flavor that works equally well with this simple recipe
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using a very thin watery salsa which results in a diluted sauce that lacks the bold flavor this simple dish needs
- Skipping the initial sear on the chicken which adds important flavor through browning and significantly improves the final result
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 290 calories, 38g protein, 8g carbs, 11g fat, 1g fiber.
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