Cheesy Salsa Chicken + Green Bean Bake
The simplicity of this recipe is amazing.
With only six ingredients and about an hour, you could be enjoying this incredibly flavorful one-dish recipe.
No sink full of dirty pots and pans. No time spent prepping. You just drop the ingredients in a dish, pop it in the oven, and you’re good to go.
This recipe is derived from one of my mom’s specialties and I didn’t have to change much, as it was pretty healthy to begin with. One important thing I did do though was swap out the brown rice.
After finding out about arsenic in brown rice last week, I’ve been trying to limit my exposure. So instead of using rice as this originally called for, I used red quinoa. I also opted for organic frozen green beans instead of canned, like my mom used.
Nutritionists say flash frozen veggies retain the same amount of vitamins as fresh, both of which are more nutrient-dense than canned.
- 1 lb Chicken Breasts, raw
- 2 C. Green Beans, frozen
- 2 C. Salsa
- 1 C. Quinoa
- 1 C. Chicken Broth, low sodium
- 1 C. Shredded White Cheddar Cheese, part-skim
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Combine quinoa and chicken broth in a 9 x 12 baking dish.
- Slice or cube chicken breasts and layer over quinoa.
- Pour green beans over chicken, breaking in half any extra long beans.
- Pour salsa over chicken.
- Cover dish with tinfoil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove tinfoil and continue to bake for 15-20 minutes.
- If any liquid remains, try to carefully pour it off. Top the dish with cheese and return to the oven for 5 more minutes.
- Enjoy!
With the perfect balance of lean protein and complex carbs, this dish is great post-workout grub.
It also makes awesome leftovers that can easily be reheated, and taste just as amazing as the first meal.
It may not be the prettiest meal presentation-wise, but everyone loves a hot mess — right?
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says:
I have experimenting making lasagna with veggies vs. noodles and that’s always a great single dish that can just be heated up quickly. Good for when you are pressed for time. Thanks for the recipe and happy Friday!
Whitney English says:
I love veggie lasagna. Do share the recipe when you get it down!
Lauren says:
I LOVE easy dinner recipes-definitely making next week!
Whitney English says:
Let me know how it goes!xo
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
If only I liked green beans!
Whitney English says:
Not a green bean fan? You could probably try another vegetable – squash or asparagus possibly?
Abe says:
As a card carrying member of Whit’s Kitch I wholeheartedly endorse this recipe.
Whitney English says:
And for that, you may get it again soon :)
ganeeban says:
I think this might be on the menu next week. Thanks for sharing! xoxo, ganeeban
Whitney English says:
Hope you like it!! xo
Lindsay Martell says:
This looks so simple! Do you cook the quinoa beforehand? Thanks!
Whitney English says:
Nope! You just toss it in uncooked. So easy!
Lindsay Martell says:
Fabulous! Can’t wait to try it!
Patti Cakes says:
This recipe is delicious! The melding of the salsa and green beans creates such a wonderful, tangy flavor!
Whitney English says:
Definitely a favorite in my household :)
Kim says:
Oh, this looks like a perfect dinner for my family soon – love how easy it looks and the fact that it is basically a meal in one dish!!!
Whitney English says:
Yes, that’s the best part about it! So easy, quick and makes awesome leftovers to save you time during the week. Let me know if you try it! xo
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things says:
I love your recipes Whitney, and this one looks absolutely Delish! I am sure my son would love it too. Good idea swapping for quinoa…I had no idea about the arsenic in brown rice. Bit scary for sure!
xxx
Whitney English says:
Thanks Krissy! Let me know what you think. xo
Bethann Wagner says:
This is my kind of dish. I can actually say that about ALL of your recipes, but this one with it’s absence of dirty pots and pans and no time spent prepping is a true gift! xoxo
Whitney English says:
Aw, you’re so sweet! Thanks girl :)
Dale Janee says:
I love that you can just drop these all in the dish and I’m a fan of any dish that involves green beans. Thanks for sharing!
xoDale
Laura @FitMamaLove says:
Oooh, yes please! Sounds so simple and good! I also have tried to limit my family’s rice intake since I read about that. Quinoa can be really messy with little kids, but it wouldn’t be in this kind of recipe!