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Skillet Salsa Chicken with Pepper Jack Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 141 reviews
  • Author: lilan
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Carb

Description

Skillet Salsa Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in zesty salsa, topped with melted Pepper Jack cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines a spicy taco seasoning crust with a saucy, cheesy finish baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1.5 tablespoons olive oil

Salsa and Topping

  • 1.5 cups low-carb store-bought salsa (or 1 batch Easy Homemade Salsa)
  • 1.5 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Salsa: Begin by making your homemade salsa if you prefer a fresh option, then set it aside for later use.
  2. Slice and Pound Chicken: Carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, making a total of six pieces. Gently pound them flat with a meat mallet to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
  3. Season Chicken: Generously season both sides of the chicken cutlets with taco seasoning to infuse bold flavor.
  4. Heat Skillet and Add Oil: Warm a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, ensuring the pan is hot before adding the chicken.
  5. Sear Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken cutlets in the skillet and sear for about 2 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden-brown crust.
  6. Add Salsa: Pour the prepared salsa directly into the skillet, coating the chicken well with the sauce.
  7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and partially cover the skillet with a lid to allow flavors to meld and chicken to cook through.
  8. Preheat Oven: While the chicken is simmering, preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) to prepare for melting the cheese topping.
  9. Cook Chicken Through: Continue to simmer until the chicken is fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C), verified using a meat thermometer.
  10. Add Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the shredded Pepper Jack cheese over the cooked chicken in the skillet, covering all pieces.
  11. Bake to Melt Cheese: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  12. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while warm, enjoying the spicy, cheesy skillet chicken.

Notes

  • Using an oven-safe skillet like cast iron is essential for transferring from stovetop to oven smoothly.
  • For extra tenderness, don’t skip pounding the chicken slices thin.
  • Homemade salsa adds freshness but store-bought salsa works well for convenience.
  • If you prefer less spice, use mild Pepper Jack cheese or substitute with Monterey Jack.
  • Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and juiciness.
  • This dish pairs well with rice, beans, or a fresh green salad.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop and Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Keywords: Salsa chicken, skillet chicken, cheesy chicken recipe, taco seasoned chicken, quick chicken dinner, low carb chicken, pepper jack chicken, oven baked chicken

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Find it online: https://cooklilan.com/skillet-salsa-chicken-with-pepper-jack-cheese-recipe/