Description
This Southwestern Baked Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-make dinner featuring seasoned chicken breasts topped with vibrant peppers, corn, black beans, salsa, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, it combines classic southwestern ingredients into a wholesome, baked dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- Nonstick cooking spray or oil (for greasing)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 pepper, cored and diced (any color; red used here)
- 1 (15-oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16-oz) jar salsa
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 7×11 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken breasts in the dish and evenly rub all sides with the taco seasoning to infuse the meat with southwestern flavors.
- Assemble: Distribute the diced pepper, drained corn, and drained/rinsed black beans evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts. Top everything with the salsa to add moisture and tangy flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the hot oven and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook and the flavors to meld. After removing the dish carefully from the oven, sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese over the chicken and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted and the chicken is fully cooked through.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- You can use different colored peppers or add jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- If preferred, substitute cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium content.
- Serve with warm tortillas, rice, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
