Description
Mango Salsa Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts grilled to perfection and topped with a fresh, tropical mango salsa made with avocado, lime, cilantro, and red onion. This easy-to-make recipe offers a bright, healthy, and protein-rich meal ideal for summer lunches or dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Mango Salsa:
- 2 ripe mangoes, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- ¼ small red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly and stay juicy throughout grilling.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, fresh lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Marinate the Chicken: Allow the chicken to marinate for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the salsa, so the flavors can penetrate the meat.
- Prepare the Mango Salsa: In a separate bowl, combine diced mango, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, chopped cilantro, jalapeño (if using), lime juice, and salt. Toss gently to combine all ingredients without mashing the avocado.
- Heat the Grill or Skillet: Preheat your grill or a large skillet over medium-high heat to ensure a good sear on the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the grill or skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), indicating the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest and Slice the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Then slice the chicken into strips or desired pieces.
- Serve: Spoon the fresh mango salsa generously over the sliced chicken and serve immediately for a bright, tropical-flavored meal.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm mangoes to ensure the salsa holds its texture and doesn’t become mushy.
- Add pineapple or cucumber to the salsa for an added burst of freshness and crunch.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño according to your preferred spice tolerance or omit it for a milder flavor.
- Serve the chicken and salsa with rice, quinoa, black beans, or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
- Keep the mango salsa refrigerated and add the avocado shortly before serving to maintain its freshness and prevent browning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Lunch, Summer Recipes
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, Tex-Mex
