Description
Indulge in a burst of flavors with our Fiesta Chicken Bake, a quick and delightful casserole that brings together tender chicken breast, vibrant vegetables, and gooey cheese. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings. The colorful ingredients not only create an appetizing dish but also make it versatile enough to pair with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad. Enjoy a hassle-free cooking experience with this one-pan wonder that promises to leave everyone at the table wanting more!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 large jalapeño, chopped
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- ½ lime, juiced
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to create the fresh salsa; set aside.
- Place the diced chicken in the casserole dish and season with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, black pepper, and remaining salt; mix well.
- Spread the fresh salsa over the seasoned chicken and top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving and garnish with additional cilantro.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the bake (approximately 220g)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Fresh ingredients enhance flavor—always opt for ripe tomatoes and herbs. For extra flavor depth, consider marinating the chicken in spices for at least 30 minutes before baking. Feel free to customize by adding bell peppers or using different types of cheese like Monterey Jack.