Healthy Liv

Easy, Nutritious Recipes to Fuel an Active Lifestyle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Health & Fitness
  • College
  • Links

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

You are here: Home / Healthy Recipes / Chicken / Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken with Mexican Risotto

July 29, 2015 24 Comments

Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken with Mexican Risotto

Jump to Recipe

Cheese-stuffed salsa chicken- a super easy, healthy, and delicious entree to serve with steamed veggies and creamy Mexican risotto or brown rice!

Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken- serve with Mexican Risotto or brown rice (this is my fav. easy & healthy meal! | www.healthy-liv.com

Growing up, my family spent every other summer in Colorado for my parent’s month-long work conference. For the kids, it was a sweet deal since it meant our weekdays were filled with soccer camps, tennis camps, and ice skating camps while our parents worked. During the weekends, we hiked in the Rockies, rafted down the Colorado River, and took family trips to the zoo, the big library, the farm, and the pool.

Screen Shot 2015-07-28 at 9.21.24 PMA fanny pack AND a bike helmet #toocoolforschool

Screen Shot 2015-07-28 at 9.21.45 PM

As my siblings and I got older and started having sports practices during the summertime, getting jobs and internships, and having more commitments back home, our summers in Colorado had to come to an end, but I’ll always have great memories from those years.

If you made it through that littletrip down memory lane (we’re officially friends now, by the way), you may be wondering how in the world summers in Colorado could possibly relate to this cheese-stuffed salsa chicken recipe.

Well, every summer there, we shopped at an awesome health food store called Wild Oats, similar to Whole Foods. [Colorado natives, do any of you shop there?] The store gave out recipe cards (plus a ridiculous amount of samples, score) every week and I loved to cook even back then, so my mom and I would try out different recipes together. One of my favorite recipes was for this cheese-stuffed salsa chicken and 10 or 12 years later, it’s still part of our family’s dinner rotation. And every time, it still reminds me of Colorado.

Here’s what you’ll need: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cheddar cheese (any sliced kind will work), your favorite salsa, olive oil, salt & pepper, and fresh or dried cilantro. Simple ingredients for a super easy recipe!Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken- my favorite EASY and healthy meal!

Here’s a handy dandy step-by-step:How to make Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken- SO easy & yummy! | www.healthy-liv.com*Step 1 should say 1/4 inch thick.

You can serve the stuffed chicken with a salad or steamed veggies and rice. I usually make plain brown rice, but to jazz things up, I made a Mexican “risotto” type of rice this time. I didn’t use the traditional method of making risotto, which involves slowly adding wine and broth to Arborio rice just a splash at a time, while constantly stirring the rice for 20 minutes or so, and then stirring in cheese and/or cream at the end.Mexican Risotto- serve alongside Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken. SO easy & yummy! | www.healthy-liv.com

Instead, I cooked 2 cups of brown rice (more fiber and nutrients than white varieties!), and then added a dollop of Greek yogurt for creaminess, a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese, a big spoonful of salsa, a splash of almond milk, a cup of black beans for extra protein, and a dash of cayenne pepper for some heat. So, really, it’s a “faux-risotto” but its taste and creaminess rivaled any traditional risotto I’ve had.

Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken- serve with Mexican Risotto or brown rice (this is my fav. easy & healthy meal! | www.healthy-liv.comHope you enjoy this super easy and healthy meal!

Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken. SO easy & yummy!
Print Pin

Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken and Mexican Risotto

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Liv

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 ounces each)
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 3 ounces sliced cheddar cheese
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup of your favorite salsa
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or dried cilantro

For the Mexican Risotto

  • 1 1/2 cups brown rice
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese
  • 3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt
  • Dash of cayenne pepper
  • A splash of almond milk, as needed for creaminess
  • 1 cup cooked black beans

Instructions

For the Chicken

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 8x8 inch or 9x9 inch baking dish.
  • Using a rolling pin or meat pounder, flatten each chicken breast to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut cheese into 4 slices and put one slice of cheese on center of each chicken breast. Roll chicken around cheese, folding in sides. Lay chicken breasts in pan, seam side down and drizzle 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over the top of the chicken breasts.
  • Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until no longer pink in center.
  • Top chicken with salsa and sprinkle cilantro on top. Return to oven for 5 more minutes to warm salsa. Serve with brown rice or Mexican risotto.

For the Mexican Risotto

  • Cook brown rice according to package directions. Stir in salsa and Monterey Jack cheese and keep on medium-low heat until cheese melts. Add Greek yogurt, cayenne pepper, and a splash of almond milk for creaminess. Stir in black beans and keep on low heat until serving.

Notes

Be sure to use a salsa you love since it's pretty dominant in this recipe. My favorite is Kirkland's Organic Medium Salsa from Costco.

Nutrition info for 1 stuffed chicken breast
Calories: 270  Fat: 12g  Saturated Fat: 5g  Carbs: 3g  Fiber: 1g  Sugar: 2g  Protein: 35g
Nutrition info for 1 serving of risotto (about 1 cup)
Calories: 260  Fat: 4g  Saturated Fat: 2g  Carbs: 44g  Fiber: 5g  Sugar: 2g Protein: 12g

Cheese-Stuffed Salsa Chicken, plus a recipe for healthy Mexican Risotto. So DELICIOUS!

Sharing is easy!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
4 Things Survey
The Best Care Package Ever

Comments

  1. Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says

    July 29, 2015 at 8:25 am

    This looks delicious! Stuffed chicken recipes are so fun. I’m kind of a salsa freak and occasionally eat it with a spoon, but I do love it on eggs and fajitas. And with salty tortilla chips 🙂

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 29, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Haha I’m not sure if I’ve ever eaten salsa with a spoon, but that doesn’t sound too bad! I’ve used it for salad dressing before, which was actually really good.

      Reply
  2. Faith VanderMolen says

    July 29, 2015 at 8:12 am

    Yay for CSU!! I only went as an adult, but I’m sure going there as a kid was awesome! My parents actually went to college there too:) love the idea of stuffing chicken. This recipe is so un-intimidating too!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 29, 2015 at 10:44 pm

      I always thought CSU would be such a great place to go to school, even though I didn’t know much about it other than its gorgeous views and awesome location! So fun that your parents went there.

      Reply
  3. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    July 29, 2015 at 8:28 am

    I would happily put salsa on everything, especially if there is cheese added as well. Just shows that Mexican food can go so much further than tacos.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 29, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      Salsa would have to be my favorite condiment, if it counts as that!

      Reply
  4. Jamie says

    July 29, 2015 at 11:44 am

    I just kept staring at the guac in every photo… I put salsa on everything, my salads and my omelets especially 🙂 I’m all about (meatless) taco Tuesdays!!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 29, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      I can put salsa or guac on just about anything. I love guacamole on omelets, too!

      Reply
  5. Abbie says

    July 29, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    Yay! I’m officially your friend now? Awesome! I’m super jazzed right now! Really, I’m not kidding. I’m weird like that. I love trips down memory lane, both mine and other’s!

    Yum! This looks really good, and super easy, which is right up my alley, since I hate working in the kitchen! (Sorry!) Do you have any suggestions for something I could do instead of the cheese for my sister who is sensitive to dairy? I’m stumped. I’m definitely remembering this one, even if I have to wait until I move out to make it!)

    One of my favorite things on rotation is Garlic Lime Chicken from the Saving Dinners cookbook. It’s one of the only recipes we make from that, by everyone here LOVES it, even though we’ve been eating it like every three weeks for years!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 29, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      Hmm, for your sister, you could leave the cheese out of her piece and roll up the chicken breast without any cheese and it’d still be yummy. Or, you could also put cooked veggies like spinach, chopped bell peppers, or onions in the middle instead of cheese. Hope that helps!

      And YUM, that garlic lime chicken sounds great! Love those recipes you never get tired of 🙂

      Reply
  6. Niki @ Life With Niki says

    July 29, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    Risotto is pretty darn amazing! I have only had it a few times, but it’s creaminess and chewy texture is pretty darn awesome, especially with your chicken and salsa!

    Reply
  7. Charlotte says

    July 29, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    Your holidays in Colorado sound amazing as does your Mexican risotto! The ‘faux risotto’ method is the only one I use and it hasn’t let me down so far 🙂
    Salsa goes wonderfully with most things but recently I have found it to pair quite well with tuna…

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 29, 2015 at 10:43 pm

      Aw man, and I thought I was so creative for coming up with that “risotto” recipe 😉 I’m glad you enjoy making it that way, too!

      Reply
  8. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says

    July 29, 2015 at 11:34 pm

    I am digging all of these throwback photos! You haven’t changed drastically, other than growing up into a beautiful young woman! 🙂

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 30, 2015 at 11:19 pm

      You’re the sweetest, Julia!

      Reply
  9. rachel @ Athletic Avocado says

    July 30, 2015 at 6:29 am

    I love that this is so easy to make! I am a huge fan of mexican flavors, especially salsa and i can see myself making this quick meal in my college apartment on a busy weeknight! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  10. Rachel says

    July 30, 2015 at 10:04 am

    I am a huge fan of the layer dip that has cream cheese, salsa and cheese to top it off, it is a classic dish for our family parties 🙂 The risotto looks absolutely delicious, I can’t wait to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 30, 2015 at 11:19 pm

      Uh, that dip sounds AMAZING!

      Reply
  11. Julie says

    July 30, 2015 at 9:31 am

    Omelets with salsa are so good! Also, this recipe looks so good as well, definitely going to try it!

    Reply
  12. Adam Baratz says

    July 30, 2015 at 10:22 am

    This recipe looks super fun and creative, I love it!

    Reply
  13. Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says

    July 30, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    This looks so delicious and comforting!! Pinned immediately.

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 30, 2015 at 11:19 pm

      Thanks for pinning, Dani!

      Reply
  14. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    July 30, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    I am pretty sure this would be a huge hit in our house! It’s going on the menu!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      July 30, 2015 at 11:18 pm

      So glad to hear it! Hope your family enjoys the recipe!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating




Hi, I’m Liv! I originally started blogging to share easy meals I made in my college dorm kitchen. Years later, as an attorney now, my goal is still to share delicious, approachable recipes with simple ingredients. You can most often find me running, eating ice cream, and making a mess in my kitchen. More...

Want new posts in your inbox?

Copyright Healthy Liv © 2025 · Fun WordPress Theme On Genesis Framework · privacy policy