Lime Chicken Fiesta with Avocado Salsa
A vibrant and easy dish featuring marinated chicken infused with lime flavors, paired with a creamy avocado salsa.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound chicken breasts (pounded to an even thickness)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 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) Add to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Avocado Salsa
- 2 medium avocados (ripe but firm, chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered, or 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped)
- Fresh corn from 1 ear sweet corn (cut off the cob)
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 whole red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 whole jalapeno pepper (diced, seeds optional) Adjust for spice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic (minced, or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder) Optional
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a small bowl, whisk together the rub ingredients: lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chipotle chili powder, and black pepper.
- Rub this mixture evenly onto the chicken breasts.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate it for up to 8 hours. If refrigerating, be sure to let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking.
Cook the Chicken
- For stovetop cooking, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the pan, add the chicken, and cook for about 3-5 minutes on one side until it’s beautifully browned.
- Flip the chicken, cover, and reduce the heat to medium. Let it cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until it’s fully cooked.
- If grilling, preheat the grill to medium heat (375-450°F), and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until it reaches the desired doneness.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Prepare the Avocado Salsa
- In a separate bowl, combine all the salsa ingredients except for the avocados. Mix well and chill in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes.
Finish the Salsa
- Just before serving, gently fold in the chopped avocados to the salsa mixture.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, cumin, or lime juice if necessary.
Notes
Consider adding a pinch of fresh lime zest into the salsa for an extra kick of citrus flavor. Experiment with different types of peppers or add ingredients like mango or pineapple for a tropical twist.