Shortcut Taco Mayo Baked Chicken Recipe Is a Moist & Zesty Chicken Dinner (4 Ingredients, 30 Minutes) by Elisa Schmitz

Our collection of mayonnaise chicken recipes keeps growing. That's because spreading mayo on top of chicken helps to keep the chicken moist as well as add juicy flavor. It turns out that when you combine mayonnaise with taco seasoning then slather it over chicken before baking, you get some seriously delicious chicken. This easy shortcut taco mayo baked chicken recipe is one moist and zesty chicken dinner!

Photo credit (all photos): Elisa Schmitz

Taco seasoning is such a great shortcut ingredient to reach for when you're making dinner in a hurry. It combines spices like chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cumin and cayenne pepper all in one simple packet that you can easily mix into a variety of recipes using taco seasoning. I decided to try it mixed with mayonnaise and a bit of olive oil to create a topping for my chicken. The taco mayo baked chicken recipe makes tender, tasty chicken with very little effort.

With only four ingredients and in just about half an hour, this juicy and flavorful taco chicken is ready to serve. The high-protein recipe pairs perfectly with rice or tortillas, and is ideal served on top of a fresh salad. Check out the health benefits of protein.

To make this simple baked chicken recipe, here are the gluten-free ingredients you'll need to gather: boneless/skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil (check out the health benefits of olive oil) and taco seasoning. All you do is combine the mayo with the olive oil and taco seasoning to create a topping, then spread it over the chicken and bake until it's cooked through and sizzling. Such an easy, budget-friendly dinner.

Serve this moist and zesty baked chicken for dinner over rice, or on top of a fresh salad, or stuffed inside taco shells or tortillas. It's a flexible meal you can make in no time that everyone will enjoy!

Cuisine: American / Mexican / Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes (ovens vary)
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ounce (1 packet) taco seasoning (or make your own taco seasoning)
• salt and pepper, to taste (optional, but I used about 1/2 teaspoon of each)

Here's how to make it:

1. Place the chicken into a baking dish that's been sprayed with cooking spray. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste, if desired. (Instead of chicken breasts, you could use boneless/skinless chicken thighs.)
   
2. In a small mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, olive oil and taco seasoning. Stir to combine. (You could use store-bought taco seasoning or make your own.)
   
3. Spread the mixture over the chicken, ensuring that it's completely coated.
   
4. Bake in an oven that's been preheated to 400 degrees F until the chicken is cooked through and golden, about 25 minutes. (Chicken is considered done when it reaches 165 degrees F on a food thermometer.)
   
5. Remove from oven and serve. Garnish with fresh basil or other herb, if desired. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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