Dinner

Creamy Salsa Chicken Recipe

ByMaya Quinn January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Introduction

Creamy Salsa Chicken is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy, flavorful salsa sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe offers a comforting meal with minimal prep and maximum taste.

A white oval dish holds a creamy, orange-tinted sauce base layer mixed with small bits, topped with a thick layer of melted bright yellow cheddar cheese that covers rounded, soft textured scoops within the dish. White sour cream is lightly drizzled on top in thin lines, and fresh chopped green cilantro is sprinkled over everything, adding a fresh contrast. A metal spoon lifts one scoop, showing the creamy, cheesy texture in the sauce, with some garnishing on top. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a colorful cloth blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless – thinly sliced
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Lay the thinly sliced chicken breasts flat in a large baking dish.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa together until well combined. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
Step 3: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the salsa mixture.
Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F (74˚C).
Step 5: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a spicier kick, use a hot salsa or add chopped jalapeños to the cream cheese mixture.
Try swapping cheddar for pepper jack cheese for extra flavor.
Serve with rice, tortillas, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to help blend the sauce smoothly.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through to keep the chicken tender and creamy.

How to Serve

A white bowl holds two main layers; the bottom layer is plain white rice with individual grains visible, and the top layer is a creamy chicken mixture with a light yellow color, dotted with corn kernels and chopped green herbs. The creamy chicken has a soft texture, and the green herbs add small pops of color throughout. A gold fork with a detailed handle rests partially buried in the rice on the left side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a folded yellow and white checkered cloth underneath on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and proper texture. If using frozen, thaw completely before preparing.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dish up to step 3 and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.

Creamy Salsa Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 100 reviews

Creamy Salsa Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make baked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa, then topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that comes together in under an hour.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless – thinly sliced

Creamy Sauce

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa

Topping

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Garnish (optional)

cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375˚F (190˚C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken evenly.
Prepare Chicken: Lay the thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts flat in a large baking dish in a single layer to allow even cooking and easy topping.
Make Creamy Salsa Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This creates the creamy salsa sauce that will keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
Spread Sauce Over Chicken: Evenly spread the creamy salsa mixture over the chicken breasts, covering them completely for maximum flavor infusion.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sauce-covered chicken breasts to create a delicious cheesy crust as it bakes.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F (74˚C), indicating it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven. Optionally garnish with chopped cilantro for a fresh herbaceous note. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, cheesy salsa chicken!

Notes

For a spicier dish, choose a hotter salsa variety or add chopped jalapeños to the sauce mixture.
Make sure the chicken is sliced thinly to ensure it cooks evenly and thoroughly within the specified time.
If you prefer a lower-fat version, you can substitute light cream cheese and sour cream.
Serve with rice, tortillas, or a side salad for a complete meal.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Creamy Salsa Chicken, baked chicken, creamy chicken, salsa chicken, cheesy chicken, easy dinner recipe, one dish chicken

Maya Quinn

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