Description
Fiesta Lime Chicken is your ticket to a vibrant and flavorful meal that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine. This dish features juicy chicken breasts marinated in zesty lime juice and aromatic spices, then grilled to perfection. Topped with a refreshing avocado salsa, this recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with nutrients, making it an ideal option for family dinners, summer barbecues, or festive gatherings. In just 15 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a delicious meal that can be served in various ways—whether in tacos, burritos, or as a standalone dish. Dive into the delightful flavors of Fiesta Lime Chicken today!
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Lime zest from 1 lime
- 1 tsp EACH chili powder, brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tsp EACH ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder
- 1–4 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (optional for more heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 medium avocados (chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered OR 2 Roma tomatoes seeded, chopped)
- Fresh corn from 1 ear sweet corn
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (diced, seeds separated)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
- 1 garlic clove, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 tsp EACH ground cumin, salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chipotle chili powder (if desired), and pepper. Coat the chicken breasts in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare Avocado Salsa: Chop avocados and combine them with cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, garlic (or garlic powder), lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix gently.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest before slicing.
- Serve: Plate the grilled chicken and top generously with avocado salsa.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (170g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Marinating longer enhances flavor; aim for at least 2 hours if time allows. Feel free to customize the spice levels by adjusting chipotle chili powder. Try serving with sides like cilantro-lime rice or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.