This Green Sauce Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and is baked in one dish for a hassle-free family dinner that your family will love! Trust me, this meal will become your new go-to for busy weeknights!
Ingredient Breakdown
Let’s get into what you’ll need for this fantastic dish. It features some simple, everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand:
1.5 pounds chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best. You can also use thighs if that’s what you prefer or have on hand!
½ teaspoon salt: A little seasoning goes a long way.
¼ teaspoon black pepper: Just a pinch for that subtle kick.
1 teaspoon garlic powder: Because who doesn’t love the flavor of garlic?
16 ounces salsa verde: This is the star of the show, giving our chicken that vibrant green color and zesty taste. Plus, it adds tons of flavor!
1½ cups freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese: This melty goodness takes your dish to the next level! You can also swap it for cheddar if that’s your jam.
¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro (for serving): Nothing warms my heart more than fresh herbs on a dish!
Now, if you’re out of something listed here, don’t sweat it. You could use any cheese or salsa you have, and it will taste amazing regardless!
Let’s Get Cooking!
1. Preheat the Oven
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F. This step is key to ensure even cooking.
2. Prepare Your Chicken
Grab your chicken breasts and lay them flat on a cutting board. For even cooking, I like to pound them to an even thickness, about 1 inch. It’s a little workout, too! Then, season both sides with a couple pinches of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Arrange in Baking Dish
Next, place the seasoned chicken breasts in a greased 9″x13″ baking dish. Spread them out nice and even so they bake perfectly.
4. Salsa Verde Time
Pour that salsa verde all over the top of the chicken. You want to cover those beauties well, ensuring nothing is exposed. The salsa adds moistness and loads of flavor.
5. Add the Cheese
Now it’s time for the best part: top the salsa-covered chicken with a generous layer of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Seriously, who can resist melted cheese? Am I right?
6. Bake It Up
Slide your dish into the preheated oven and bake for about 22-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it! You want the internal temperature to reach 165°F. Your cheese should be all melty and bubbly by the end. If you’re feeling extra fancy, broil it on high for 1-2 minutes to get that beautiful golden brown crust.
7. Garnish and Serve
Once it’s out of the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. I love to serve this over a bed of fluffy white rice. It’s the perfect complement to soak up that delicious salsa verde sauce!
If you loved this Green Sauce Chicken, be sure to check out my Simple Sheet Pan Fajitas or my Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe is perfect for those evenings when you need dinner on the table, but fast. It comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal hands-on time!
One Pan Wonder
Minimal cleanup is always a plus, right? You’re looking at one dish from prep to bake, a huge win for your busy weeknight routine!
Crowd-Pleaser
I guarantee the whole family will love it. Whether you’re feeding toddlers or picky teenagers, the combination of juicy chicken, zesty salsa verde, and gooey cheese is universally appealing.
Customizable
The beauty of this Green Sauce Chicken is that you can make it your own. Use whatever ingredients you have on hand, whether it’s swapping out chicken for tofu or switching the cheese to suit your taste.
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and is guaranteed to hit the spot. It’s cozy, warm, and oh-so-delicious. What more could you want?
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This
I love serving this Green Sauce Chicken over rice; it’s perfect for soaking up all that extra salsa verde. You could also serve it with warm tortillas and a side of beans for a little fiesta.
Storage
Leftovers? Sure thing! This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it in an airtight container, and you’re all set.
Reheating Instructions
When it comes time to reheat, I recommend using your oven if you can. Just toss it back in at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. The microwave works, too, but you might lose a bit of the glorious texture.
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze this dish! Just let it cool completely and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I suggest portioning it out for quick meals later.
And there you have it: Green Sauce Chicken that’s not just a meal but a warm and cozy experience. Pop this in your weeknight rotation and watch how quickly it becomes a family favorite!
Let me know how yours turns out, and feel free to get creative with your ingredients. Can’t wait to see how you make it your own!
And remember, food is all about reconnecting with family and making memories, so enjoy every bite! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Easy Green Sauce Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
This incredibly quick and easy Green Sauce Chicken is baked in one dish and ready in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect hassle-free family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 16 ounces salsa verde
- 1½ cups freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts in a greased 9″x13″ baking dish.
- Pour salsa verde over chicken, ensuring it is well covered.
- Top with Monterey Jack cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 22-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden brown crust.
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro before serving.
Notes
Serve over rice or with warm tortillas and beans. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg