Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
A vibrant dish combining grilled chicken with zesty lime and spices, paired with a refreshing avocado salsa for a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon lime zest from 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional for heat) Adjust according to heat preference.
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Avocado Salsa
- 2 medium avocados, ripe but firm, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered, or 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 1 ear fresh corn, kernels removed
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper diced (seeds optional)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced, or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken
- For stovetop, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat, grease the surface and cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes on one side.
- Flip the chicken, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for another 5-7 minutes until fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- For grilling, preheat the grill to medium heat and cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes after grilling.
Preparing the Salsa
- In a bowl, combine all salsa ingredients except for the avocado.
- Mix well and chill in the refrigerator.
- Fold in the chopped avocados just before serving and adjust seasoning to taste.
Notes
For best flavor, marinate chicken for several hours. Consider adding lime wedges or cilantro for garnish. Use a cast-iron skillet for stovetop cooking for a char effect.