Pace® Salsa Chicken
This recipe is sponsored by Campbell’s®. All opinions are mine alone.
I partnered with my friends at Campbell’s® for a quick, simple and delicious dinner. My Pace® Salsa Chicken is ideal when you don’t have much time or want an easy new recipe for the rotation. Moreover, it lives in the same weeknight lineup as my easy chicken thighs with wild rice and baked chicken gnocchi.
With just a handful of ingredients and one baking dish, you get bold flavor, tender chicken and a meal that feels complete. In particular, a crisp winter salad or one of these eight salads rounds it out without adding a second pot to wash.
I love using Pace® Picante Sauce here because it has bold flavor and a smooth texture that keeps the chicken moist while it bakes. Equally important, warm bread finishes the plate, and my guide to where to find fresh bread in Atlanta is where I send everyone. For a soup night instead, my white bean chicken soup uses the same pantry-friendly spirit.
What Is Pace® Salsa Chicken
Pace® Salsa Chicken is a one-dish, oven-baked dinner: chicken breasts seasoned with taco spices, baked under Pace® Picante Sauce and finished with melted cheese. The salsa acts as both marinade and sauce.
The result is savory, slightly tangy and gently spiced, with richness from the cheese and brightness from fresh toppings like avocado, sour cream and cilantro. It is not overwhelmingly spicy, which makes it approachable for the whole family.
Pace® Salsa Chicken Ingredients (With Purpose & Flavor Notes)
Chicken Breasts
Lean and tender, they soak up the salsa and seasoning. Thighs work too for a richer result.
Salt and Pepper
Seasoning the chicken directly builds flavor in every bite.
Taco Seasoning
Adds warmth, depth and that familiar, comforting spice.
Pace® Picante Sauce
The star. Smooth, bold and balanced, it brings acidity and gentle heat and keeps the chicken moist.
Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
Melts beautifully over the top for a creamy finish.
Fresh Toppings
Sour cream, tomatoes, red onion, avocado and cilantro add cool, fresh contrast.
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Everything I Love for this recipe
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Ceramic Casserole Dish
Heats evenly and goes straight from oven to table.
Instant-Read Thermometer
Pull the chicken right at 165°F so it stays juicy.
8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Slices avocado, tomatoes and onion for the toppings.
Epicurean Cutting Board
A sturdy, knife-friendly board for prepping garnishes.
Glass Prep Bowls
Set out the toppings so everyone can build their plate.
Little Condiment Bowls
Perfect for sour cream and extra salsa on the table.
Cheese Grater
Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly.
Measuring Cups & Spoons
Measure the salsa and cheese for consistent results.
Olive Wood Utensils
Serve straight from the dish without scratching it.
Serving Platters
Serve family-style with rice and beans on the side.
Shallow Serving Bowls
Wide bowls for rice, beans and salsa chicken.
Airtight Storage Containers
Keep leftovers fresh for up to 4 days.
How To Make Pace® Salsa Chicken
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch dish. Season the chicken on both sides with taco seasoning, salt and pepper.
Step 2: Add the Salsa
Pour the Pace® Picante Sauce evenly over the chicken.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle with cheese and bake 3 to 5 minutes more, until melted.
Step 5: Top and Serve
Rest for 5 minutes, then top with sour cream, tomatoes, onion, avocado and cilantro.
Pace® Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2 lb
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix about 1 oz
- 1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Optional Garnishes
- sour cream
- diced tomatoes
- sliced red onion
- sliced avocado
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Season the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the dish and sprinkle both sides with taco seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Add the salsa. Pour the Pace® Picante Sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Bake. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Add the cheese. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake 3 to 5 minutes more, until melted.
- Top and serve. Let rest for 5 minutes, then top with sour cream, tomatoes, onion, avocado and cilantro.
Notes
KEEP HOSTING
Round out the meal — a crisp salad, a refreshing pour, and a champagne bar to make it festive.
Apple & Goat Cheese Salad
A crisp, fresh side that balances this savory salsa chicken.
Get the Recipe →
Watermelon Basil Spritzer
A bright, refreshing pour to cool the gentle salsa heat.
Pour a Glass →
How to Create the Perfect Champagne Bar
Add a little sparkle to your next casual gathering.
Keep Reading →Pace® Salsa Chicken Variations
Make It Creamy
Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the chicken before the salsa for a richer version.
Use Chicken Thighs
Boneless thighs stay extra juicy; bake until they reach 165°F.
Turn It Into Tacos
Shred the baked chicken and serve it in warm tortillas, or add it to a taco board.
Add Beans or Corn
Layer black beans or corn into the dish before baking to make it more filling.
Spice It Up
Use a hotter Pace® salsa or add sliced jalapeños.
Slow Cooker
Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F, then add the cheese at the end.
When I Love Serving Pace® Salsa Chicken
Busy Weeknights
Quick, reliable and one dish to wash.
Casual Dinner Parties
Comforting but still thoughtful, especially with a toppings bar.
Family-Style Gatherings
Easy to scale; double it in two dishes for a crowd, the same way I plan when hosting a dinner party.
Meal Prep Days
It holds up beautifully for leftovers through the week, right alongside my quick and easy tuna salad boats.
Last-Minute Hosting
A few pantry ingredients and dinner is handled.
Game Day
Shred it for nachos and set it next to my favorite tailgating dip.
What To Serve With Pace® Salsa Chicken
Rice
White, brown or cilantro-lime rice soaks up the sauce.
Beans
Black or pinto beans add heartiness.
A Green Salad
Fresh and crisp; my apple and goat cheese salad is a favorite.
Warm Tortillas or Chips
Perfect for scooping and layering.
A Dip to Start
Begin with cheesy shrimp and crab dip or creamy spinach dip for the grazers.
Wine
Sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc or a dry rosé balance the gentle heat and melted cheese.
Pace® Salsa Chicken Storage
Store
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat
Warm in a 300°F oven or in the microwave until heated through, adding a spoonful of salsa to keep it moist.
Freeze
Freeze cooked salsa chicken for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Make Ahead
Assemble in the baking dish, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake.
Pace® Salsa Chicken FAQs
Can I use a different salsa?
Yes, but a smooth sauce like Pace® Picante gives the best texture.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The thickest part should reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours and add the cheese at the end.
Is this recipe spicy?
It is mild to medium, depending on the salsa you choose.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Thaw it fully first so it cooks evenly and reaches 165°F.
Final Thoughts
This Pace® Salsa Chicken is exactly the kind of recipe I rely on when I want something flavorful, comforting and effortless all at once. What I love most is how it turns a few simple ingredients into a meal that feels complete. On the other hand, when the week calls for soup, my white sausage tortellini soup does the same quiet work, and for dessert I keep it simple with an epic mini cheesecake board or my orange-scented olive oil bundt cake. If you try it, I would love to know how you serve yours!
Erica A. Thomas
Founder of Eating With Erica
SAVE NOW, MAKE LATER!
