Creamy Salsa Chicken Bake
Indulge in this delightful Creamy Salsa Chicken Bake, perfectly blending the richness of heavy cream with the zesty flavors of salsa. This one-dish meal is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also versatile enough to accommodate various proteins, including beef, turkey, or even a flavorful feta cheese option for vegetarian guests. Ideal for gatherings, you can prep this dish hours or even a day in advance, allowing you to spend more quality time with your friends when they arrive. Serve it alongside rice, pita, and a fresh garden salad for a complete meal experience that everyone will love.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
3
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts
4 (washed and patted dry)
Heavy cream
400 ml (none)
Salsa
400 ml (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the heavy cream and salsa, stirring until well mixed.
3
Wash the chicken breasts under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
4
Place the chicken breasts in a large casserole dish, ensuring they are laid flat.
5
Pour the creamy salsa mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
6
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. You can check for doneness using a meat thermometer (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
8
For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the chicken with feta cheese; bake for approximately 20 minutes until slightly golden and heated through.
9
Serve immediately with your choice of white wine, pita bread, rice, or a fresh garden salad.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Salsa Chicken Bake?
Creamy Salsa Chicken Bake is a simple one-dish meal that combines heavy cream and salsa to create a rich and zesty flavor for chicken breasts.
What are the three main ingredients?
The main ingredients are chicken breasts, heavy cream, and salsa.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 servings.
How much heavy cream is required?
You will need 400 ml of heavy cream.
How much salsa is required?
You will need 400 ml of salsa.
How do I prepare the sauce?
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the heavy cream and salsa, stirring until the mixture is well mixed.
How should I prepare the chicken breasts before cooking?
The chicken breasts should be washed under cold water and patted dry with a paper towel.
What type of dish is used for baking?
A large casserole dish should be used to ensure the chicken breasts are laid flat.
How do I ensure the chicken is covered in sauce?
Pour the creamy salsa mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, you should cover the casserole with aluminum foil to help retain moisture during the baking process.
How long does the chicken need to bake?
The chicken should bake for 1 hour, or until it is tender and cooked through.
What is the target internal temperature for the chicken?
The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
Can I make a vegetarian version of this dish?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken breasts with feta cheese for a vegetarian alternative.
How long do I bake the feta cheese version?
The feta cheese version should be baked for approximately 20 minutes until slightly golden and heated through.
What can I serve with Creamy Salsa Chicken Bake?
It is recommended to serve this dish with rice, pita bread, or a fresh garden salad.
Can this dish be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can prep this dish hours or even a day in advance before baking.
Is this recipe suitable for dinner parties?
Yes, it is ideal for gatherings because it is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time.
Can I use different proteins in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe is versatile enough to accommodate other proteins like beef or turkey.
What drink pairs well with this meal?
A glass of white wine is suggested as a drink pairing for this meal.
What is the preparation level for the salsa and cream?
The salsa and heavy cream require no special preparation before being mixed together.
Is this a quick meal?
While it takes an hour to bake, the preparation is very fast, making it a great quick-prep meal.
How many ingredients total are listed?
There are 3 specific ingredients listed for the base recipe.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce has a creamy texture due to the inclusion of 400 ml of heavy cream.
Should I wash the chicken breasts?
The instructions recommend washing the chicken breasts under cold water before patting them dry.
How should the chicken be arranged in the casserole dish?
The chicken breasts should be laid flat in a single layer in a large casserole dish.
What is the purpose of using aluminum foil?
Aluminum foil is used to cover the dish to prevent the chicken from drying out during the hour-long bake.
What describes the flavor of this dish?
The flavor is described as a blend of richness from the cream and zesty notes from the salsa.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, this is categorized as a one-dish meal which simplifies cleanup.
When should I serve the dish?
The dish should be served immediately after it is removed from the oven and checked for doneness.