the other night i looked for a simple chicken recipe that i could bake. aside from the previous reason i mentioned (someone else has figured out the cook time for me) i also like to bake because i can put the meat in the oven & do something else. i also like recipes that have few ingredients. this one has just 5 (one being optional). perfect.
i needed salsa & cheese so i went to hy-vee & picked some up, along with a few other things. i wanted a simple side dish too & zatarain's boxed rices were on sale. i got several but made the spanish rice with the chicken. jello instant pudding was also on sale & i can't pass up chocolate pudding... but that's another story.
the rice was awesome. i don't think i've ever had any zatarain's rice mixes, i know i haven't had spanish rice, but i'm in love with both now. i can't wait to try the dirty rice and red beans & rice i also picked up. the spice was just right, very tasty, not too spicy. i really like the tomatoes in the rice. it calls for a can of diced tomatoes but i think fresh or bigger chunks of canned tomatoes would be great too. A+ for the spanish rice.
the chicken was also really good. i covered it in tin foil which i think is why it took longer to cook. i ended up cooking it about an hour. the recipe calls for taco seasoning & i found some made specifically for chicken. i used pace picante sauce (mild) because it is, in my opinion, the best canned salsa/picante/whatever. it was very tender & juicy. the salsa & taco seasoning made for some very easy seasoning of the meat. no guessing, just dump it on. the only thing i would have changed about the chicken was the timing of the cheese addition. putting it on & baking some more made it super melted. i would have preferred putting it on right after taking it out of the oven so it would melt just slightly but hold some of it's solidity & texture. there are some instances when cheese is just better when it's at least mostly solid & this is one of those times.
both of these dishes were great by themselves but i wouldn't make them together again. i like tomatoes as much as the next person but 2 dishes full of tomato chunks together is just a bit too much. i know i will make the rice again. it was so easy & really delicious. i love to cook but i'm all about the occasional boxed side dish, especially when they are this good. the chicken was good, i would make it again but it wasn't like "oh. my. god.", lascivious mumble causing good. i'd probably give the chicken a B+.
salsa chicken from allrecipes.com
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 4 teaspoons taco seasoning mix 1 cup salsa 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)
Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts, and pour salsa over all.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear.
Sprinkle chicken evenly with cheese, and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream if desired, and serve.
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