Leftover Salsa Chicken and Cheese
Transform your leftovers into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece with this quick and flavorful Leftover Salsa Chicken and Cheese bake. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines tender shredded chicken, zesty salsa, crispy tortilla chips, and gooey melted cheese for a Tex-Mex-inspired meal that's ready in just 30 minutes. Layered in a single baking dish, it’s seasoned with aromatic spices like cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder, creating a dish that's as easy to make as it is comforting. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a bright finish and serve with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess. This is your go-to recipe for turning pantry staples and leftovers into a hearty, cheesy delight the whole family will love!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup salsa
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix)
- 2 cups tortilla chips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- 0.5 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and place it in a mixing bowl.
Add the salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin to the bowl. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly in the salsa and spices.
Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil, ensuring the bottom and sides are coated.
Spread half of the tortilla chips in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer the salsa-coated chicken evenly over the tortilla chips, ensuring full coverage.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheese over the chicken layer.
Spread the remaining tortilla chips over the cheese layer, then top with the rest of the shredded cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve with sour cream on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
616 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.4 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.2 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 161 mg | 54% | |
| Sodium | 898 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.3 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 51.5 g | 103% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 401 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 603 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
