Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe

I absolutely love this Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe because it’s one of those dishes that feels special but comes together so quickly on a busy weeknight. The bright, tangy flavors of the salsa verde paired with perfectly seared chicken breasts make for a comforting yet vibrant meal that I always crave when I want something satisfying without fuss.

You’ll find that this recipe works beautifully for a cozy dinner with family or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. Plus, the cheesy topping baked right on the chicken is the kind of finish that gets everyone asking for seconds—my family goes crazy for it every time!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor. I like to keep things simple but choose quality ingredients like fresh herbs and good salsa verde, which really make a difference in the final dish.

• Chicken Breasts: I recommend using medium-sized breasts for even cooking and juiciness.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a gentle garlic flavor without overpowering the salsa verde.
• Chili Powder: A subtle smoky heat that blends well with the green salsa.
• Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors.
• Olive or Avocado Oil: Great for searing the chicken and helping develop that golden crust.
• Salsa Verde: You can use store-bought for convenience or homemade for a fresher taste and customizable spice.
• Chicken Bone Broth: Adds depth and richness to the sauce that simple broth can’t match.
• Tex-Mex Cheese Blend: Melts beautifully and adds a creamy, cheesy layer to finish the dish.
• Fresh Cilantro: Brightens up the dish at the end with herbal freshness.
• Fresh Lime Slices: Give an optional zesty garnish that complements the salsa verde perfectly.
• Optional Scallions: Thinly sliced scallions add a mild onion crunch and color.

Variations

One of the things I love about my Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your liking. I often switch up the cheese or use different types of green salsa depending on what’s in the fridge or the season.

• Use Monterey Jack or Queso Fresco: I’ve swapped the Tex-Mex blend for Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier finish that my kids prefer.
• Make it Spicier: Adding some diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the salsa verde gives it a nice kick—just be careful not to overpower the chicken’s flavor.
• Swap Chicken for Turkey: I tried this with turkey cutlets once, and it worked beautifully for a leaner option.
• Make it Vegetarian: Swap chicken for firm tofu or sautéed mushrooms and follow the same steps for a tasty meatless version.

How to Make Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prepping and Seasoning the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spices well into every side—that’s key to infusing the chicken with flavor right from the start. I like to do this ahead of time if I’m prepping dinner early, so the chicken soaks in the seasoning.

Step 2: Searing for a Perfect Crust

Heat your olive or avocado oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Place the chicken in and don’t fuss with it too much—about 3 minutes per side to get that golden crust. This crust locks in juices and adds so much flavor to the dish. A cast iron skillet is my top choice here because it holds heat beautifully and transitions right to the oven.

Step 3: Making the Sauce and Simmering

Remove the chicken briefly and pour in the chicken bone broth and salsa verde to the same skillet. Scrape up all those delicious browned bits from searing—the fond in the pan is where a lot of flavor lives. Bring it to a simmer, then nestle the chicken back in. Let it cook gently until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens. I typically simmer for about 10-15 minutes and spoon the sauce over the chicken occasionally to keep it moist.

Step 4: Cheese it Up and Bake

Once the sauce is nicely thickened and the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle shredded Tex-Mex cheese evenly over the top. Slide the skillet into the 400°F oven for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese melts and gets bubbly. Keep a close eye here—you want melty cheese without overcooking the chicken.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve Warm

Pull the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro, lime slices, and scallions if you’re using them. These little touches add brightness and a fresh contrast to the rich salsa verde and cheesy chicken. I usually serve it right from the skillet for a rustic, inviting presentation.

How to Serve Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish this dish with chopped fresh cilantro and lime slices because that burst of citrus and herbal brightness keeps everything balanced. Thinly sliced scallions add a lovely mild onion crunch and a pop of green color that just makes the dish pop on the plate.

Side Dishes

My go-to pairings include fluffy cilantro-lime rice or simple black beans for a classic combo. A fresh side salad with avocado and tomatoes also complements the tangy sauce beautifully without overpowering the skillet flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this skillet with warm corn tortillas alongside, so everyone can scoop up chicken with a little salsa and cheese. It turns into a fun taco night that’s easy to customize for all tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After dinner, I let the leftovers cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days, and I find the flavors even deepen overnight, making for a great next-day lunch.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish several times, and it freezes beautifully thanks to the sauce keeping the chicken moist. Freeze in a single layer in freezer-safe containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming it gently on the stovetop over low heat, covered, to prevent drying out. If you want melted cheese again, sprinkle a little fresh cheese on top and pop it under the broiler for a few minutes.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you give this Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet Recipe a try—it’s become one of those comforting go-to meals in my household that I’m excited to share with you. It’s flavorful, simple, and just a little bit special, turning everyday chicken into something memorable. Once you have this in your dinner rotation, I bet your family will start requesting it again and again, just like mine does!

Print