Salsa Verde Chicken Bake

This salsa verde chicken bake keeps dinner simple with tender chicken, fluffy rice, pinto beans, green chiles, and melted cheese. Everything bakes together in one dish—just pop it in the oven, then finish with your favorite toppings and dig in!

This salsa verde chicken bake turns simple chicken breasts into an irresistible dinner with everyday ingredients and very little hands-on work. It goes from prep to table in a little over an hour, making it an easy addition to your weeknight dinner rotation.

Everything cooks together in one baking dish, so you can skip the extra pots and keep cleanup simple. Pop it in the oven and let dinner cook while you get on with the rest of your evening—less fuss, and a dinner the family will ask for again. Just how little effort it took can stay between us.

Why You'll Love This Salsa Verde Chicken Bake

• Very little hands-on work. A little chopping, a good stir, and the oven takes it from there.
• One dish does it all. The chicken and rice bake together, so there’s no juggling extra pots or adding to the dishes waiting in the sink.
• Simple ingredients, plenty of flavor. Salsa verde, green chiles, and pantry spices give every bite a little something extra.
• Everyone can top their own. Set out avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and lime, then let everyone pile on their favorites.

Ingredients You Need

• Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces. Keep the pieces roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
• Salsa Verde: The rice soaks up its tangy flavor as it cooks. Grab your favorite jarred salsa verde and choose a heat level that works for your family.
• Beans: Pinto beans are my favorite for flavor, but use whichever canned beans you like. Rinse and drain them well before adding them to the dish.
• Green Chiles: Use canned mild green chiles for extra flavor without too much heat, or choose hot if you like a little kick.
• Rice: Use uncooked long-grain white rice or white basmati rice, rinsed well and drained. Stick with these one of these, since other types will require different amounts of liquid or baking times.
• Cheese: Monterey Jack melts into a creamy topping, while Pepper Jack adds a little heat. Cheddar works well, too!
• Onion: White or sweet onion works well here. Chop it finely so it softens and blends into the rice as everything bakes.
• Chicken Broth: Adds savory flavor while providing the liquid the rice needs to cook.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh flavor throughout the dish. Save a little extra to sprinkle on top.
• Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens everything up.
• Spices: A few of pantry staples along with salt and pepper—cumin, paprika, and chili powder—adds plenty of flavor with hardly any effort.

How To Make Salsa Verde Chicken Bake

Start by adding all ingredients except the cheese to a greased baking dish. Give everything a good stir, making sure the rice is evenly distributed in the liquid.

Cover tightly with foil and bake until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, stirring once during baking.

Stir in some of the cheese, then sprinkle the rest over the top. Broil until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.