Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa Recipe
Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring juicy grilled chicken breasts marinated in lime and spices, topped with a fresh and creamy avocado salsa. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, this recipe brings together zesty citrus, smoky chili, and refreshing avocado for a deliciously balanced meal.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest and juice of 2 limes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Avocado Salsa
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 small jalapeño, finely minced (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt to taste
Optional Garnish
- Extra cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Crumbled queso fresco or feta
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Cover and let it marinate for at least 15–20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the pan and cook for 5–7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Make the Avocado Salsa: In a separate bowl, gently combine the diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, minced jalapeño (if using), lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt. Toss carefully to avoid mashing the avocado, creating a fresh and creamy salsa.
- Assemble and Serve: Top the sliced chicken with generous spoonfuls of avocado salsa. Garnish with extra cilantro, lime wedges, and crumbled queso fresco or feta if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra heat, include the jalapeño in the avocado salsa or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- Marinate the chicken up to 2 hours ahead for deeper flavor, but avoid longer to prevent the lime juice from breaking down the meat texture.
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for a smoky flavor or cook in a skillet if a grill isn’t available.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, quinoa, black beans, or grilled corn to create a complete meal.
- Leftover chicken and salsa make great taco or wrap fillings for next-day lunches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with avocado salsa (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Fiesta Lime Chicken, Avocado Salsa, Grilled Chicken, Mexican Chicken Recipe, Healthy Chicken Dinner, Lime Chicken with Avocado