Quick and easy salsa chicken with onion, peppers and jalapeños is perfect for wraps or over rice and makes a great weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
I had a rare but much appreciated mother-daughter date with M (my 4 ½-year-old) just recently.
It’s tough to juggle enough quality time between both kids when I’m the only one around in the afternoons. So now and then my husband and I like to divide and conquer on the weekends. We each take a kid for an hour or two and get some one-on-one time.
M and I headed to a nearby pond with some leftover bread ends to feed the ducks, fish and turtles that are always hungry and like to battle it out over each crumb.
M also loves running around the bridge that goes over part of the pond, running up and down the stairs that go back up to the shopping center and just generally feeling a little more free.
And we sat to chat and have some “us” time, which she was pleased as punch about.
No little brother to interrupt us. (And let’s be honest, no laptop with work demands to interrupt me either.)
We met up with the boys later in the afternoon and had some good family time.
But by the time bath and bedtime was over with the kids, I just wanted a quick and easy late dinner for the hubs and I. This salsa chicken hit the spot. It always does.
Onion, green pepper and jalapeño get sautéed with strips of chicken breasts, plus taco seasoning and salsa to bring a little kick. And you know I put out a bottle of hot sauce to serve it with! 🌶
Notes on easy salsa chicken:
- You can use homemade salsa or your favorite store-bought kind. You could even play around and try a flavored salsa to change it up a bit. 💃
- I usually serve this over my perfect steamed brown rice but if I don't want to wait for that to finish cooking, whole wheat tortillas are a great option too.
- You could also serve this over a romaine or spinach salad for a low-carb option.
- Or chop up the chicken a bit more after it cooks and make tacos with this. 🌮
And because you know I love adding some toppings so everyone can customize this...
Topping ideas for salsa chicken:
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Diced avocado or a dollop of guacamole
- Dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Pickled jalapeños or hot sauce for some extra heat 🌶
My husband loves taking leftovers into the office for lunch. He heats it up, tucks it into a wrap with some lettuce and cheese and dives in. 👍
(So feel free to use this as a meal prep chicken recipe to have on hand for a busy week.)
Hope this salsa chicken makes it into your regular rotation too. I think you'll love it!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Skillet salsa chicken
Salsa chicken is quick and easy to make and great served in wraps or over rice for a delicious weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, diced small
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1-2 jalapeno peppers, finely diced (seeded and membranes removed for less heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into long, thin strips
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
For serving:
- Whole wheat tortillas, steamed brown rice or a salad
Optional toppings:
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, sliced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, extra salsa
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and green pepper and saute for 5-7 minutes, until tender.
- Add jalapeños and garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes.
- Season chicken breast strips with taco seasoning on both sides and add to pan. Cook about 4-5 minutes on each side, until chicken is cooked through.
- Turn off the heat, top with salsa and stir to combine.
- Serve the salsa chicken in whole wheat wraps, over steamed brown rice or a salad. Just add your favorite toppings!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 436Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 53g
Laster
Hope you had a Great New Year! I am in love with chicken from my childhood!!!!!!!!And your dish just look yummy! I can't wait to taste it! I am going to prepare this moth watering recipe for this weekend. Have Fun!!!!!!
Kathryn
Thanks so much and happy New Year to you!
Adina
Happy New Year! You found the perfect recipe for after-Christmas cooking: healthy and delicious!
Kathryn
Thanks Adina! It's certainly nice going back to simple, healthy but still super tasty recipes after all the holiday craziness!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
I think its great you and the hubster team work it out with the kiddos, so you each get some quality time with them! If you are up for adopting a 32 year old daughter, I happen to love going to the pond and feeding ducks too. 😉 Anyways, I have a salsa addiction and I put it on EVERYTHING, so this chicken is faaaaaab! I can't wait to try your version of salsa chicken, because it already has me drooling! Cheers, doll- to a wonderful weekend!
Kathryn
Salsa on everything - I think that sounds like a plan! And, um, yes, I'll adopt you and take you to feed the ducks. But you'll have to earn your keep and fix me dinner once a week while I pour the bourbon 😉
Julie at Hostess At Heart
Mouthwatering!
Kathryn
Thanks Julie!
Alli @ Tornadough Alli
Yum yum and even more yum. This stuff looks absolutely addicting. But I'm partial to the Mexican flavor too. I hear ya about not having enough time to spend quality time with each your kids. I have 4 and between blogging and homework and supper and the husband I feel that I need to set aside certain days to have mommy and me time. My 11 year old isn't really feeling it anymore but the younger ones Love it.
Kathryn
If you love Mexican like me, you will definitely love this dinner, Alli! And I don't know how you do it with 4 kids - super woman!!
karrie@TastyEverAfter
Such a sweet story and how nice it is to spend some quality one-on-one time with your daughter! This recipe is one I would make once a week. I make Mexican 1-2 times a week and always looking for different (plus easy) recipes. Definitely hits the spot with me and leftovers would be great for breakfast in an omelet or turned into nachos for lunch 🙂
Ofelia
Happy New Year!!!! Chicken is my all time favorite!I always try something new with chicken and your recipe is absolutely my type.Thanks foe sharing this yummy recipe with us!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathryn
I'm the exact same way - we eat LOTS of chicken around here and I'm always trying to change things up! Hope you try this easy salsa chicken and let me know how you like it! 🙂
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
This looks fabulous, I'll definitely be making this very soon! Happy New Year!
Kathryn
Happy New Year Lauren! I hope you enjoy this easy salsa chicken - it's a staple around here 🙂
Carlee
What a great quick dinner! We love anything with Mexican flavors too, so I know we would love this. It is nice to get uninterrupted time with the little ones every once in a while!
Kathryn
Isn't it? May not happen often, but I try to cherish those times 🙂 And I hope you love this easy Mexican dinner - it's a great go-to for busy nights!
Mollie
This dish will go over big at my house! Yum! And easy, too! Thanks for linking up to Throwback Thursdays!
Kathryn
It's a crowd pleaser for sure - and definitely very easy! Thanks for hosting such a fun and tasty party!
Tally
I would love to start my day out with this!
Kathryn
Thanks Tally!
Angela
This looks like a perfect weeknight dish! Thank you for sharing!!
Kathryn
Yes, so quick and easy! Thanks Angela!
Ginger Wroot
This looks oh, so yum! For taco seasoning, I usually substitute some chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin powder, so as to avoid the extra salt. Can't wait to try this!
--G
http://gingerwroot.com
Kathryn
Thanks Ginger! I make my own taco seasoning, so it's much lower in salt than the store-bought kind 🙂
Helen Fern
This looks delicious!! A must try! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner Link up!
Kathryn
Thanks Helen! It's a great go-to chicken dish for busy weeknights 🙂
BBFP
Thanks, do you think this would work well without garlic? I'm all out until tomorrow unfortunately but have all the other ingredients and would like to give it a go tonight for the kids if possible.
Kathryn
Sure, you can skip the garlic! If you have garlic powder, you could use a pinch of that, but it's not necessary. Hope you give it a try and let me know what you think!