Description
This recipe features tender grilled chicken breasts seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices and topped with a fresh, vibrant avocado salsa made from ripe avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Perfect for a healthy and colorful meal that’s quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Avocado Salsa
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a better sear and seasoning adherence.
- Apply olive oil: Drizzle the tablespoon of olive oil evenly over both chicken breasts, then rub it thoroughly to coat all surfaces.
- Mix spices: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create the spice blend.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and rub gently to fully coat them with the seasoning.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, making sure it’s sufficiently hot before cooking to achieve good grill marks.
- Grill first side: Place the seasoned chicken on the grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes or until grill marks form and the chicken releases easily from the grill surface.
- Grill second side: Flip the chicken breasts and grill for another 6 to 7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), and the chicken is cooked through.
- Prepare avocado salsa: While the chicken cooks, cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Add vegetables: Add halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, and chopped fresh cilantro to the bowl with the avocado.
- Dress the salsa: Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and gently toss all ingredients together to combine flavors without mashing the avocado.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices when slicing.
- Slice and serve: Slice the grilled chicken against the grain into thin strips and serve topped with the fresh avocado salsa for a flavorful and nutritious meal.
Notes
- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely and not overdone.
- You can substitute fresh lime juice with lemon juice if desired.
- The avocado salsa can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld, but it’s best served fresh.
- If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or broiler can be used to achieve similar results.
- Adjust seasoning amounts based on your spice preference and dietary needs.
