Description
This Spice Grilled Chicken with Fresh Avocado Salsa features tender, marinated chicken breasts grilled to perfection and topped with a creamy, tangy avocado salsa. The combination of bold spices in the marinade and the refreshing salsa makes for a balanced and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a summer barbecue or a quick, healthy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Fresh Avocado Salsa
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the pounded chicken breasts into a zip-top bag, pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Make the Avocado Salsa: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe avocados until creamy but still slightly chunky. Fold in the diced tomatoes, finely diced red onion, freshly squeezed lime juice, and chopped cilantro, mixing gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and place them on the grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the grill to retain juices. Then slice the chicken and serve it topped with the freshly prepared avocado salsa for a flavorful meal.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and tender results.
- Marinate the chicken for longer than 30 minutes if possible, up to 2 hours, for more intense flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, the chicken can be cooked on a grill pan or broiled in the oven.
- To keep the avocado salsa fresh and prevent browning, prepare it close to serving time.
- This recipe pairs well with a side of rice, quinoa, or grilled vegetables.
