Fiesta Lime Chicken Avocado (Print Version)
Zesty lime-marinated chicken with creamy avocado topping and fresh garnishes for a vibrant Mexican-inspired meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
03 - 2 tsp lime zest
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Avocado Topping
11 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
12 - 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
13 - ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 1 tbsp lime juice
16 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Garnishes
17 - ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
18 - Lime wedges
19 - Extra cilantro
# How to Cook:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat evenly. Cover and marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours refrigerated.
02 - Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
03 - While the chicken cooks, combine diced avocados, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Gently toss to combine.
04 - Transfer cooked chicken to plates. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese over each breast while hot so it melts slightly.
05 - Top each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of avocado mixture. Finish with lime wedges and extra cilantro. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The marinade does most of the heavy lifting so you look like you spent way more effort than you actually did
- That cool creamy avocado on top of hot spiced chicken is the kind of contrast that makes people go quiet after their first bite
02 -
- Over marinating in lime juice can actually start to break down the chicken texture so keep it under two hours
- Pounding the chicken to an even half inch thickness is the single biggest factor in getting it cooked through without drying out the thick end
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before searing if you want a serious crust because excess marinade moisture will steam instead of sear
- Let the avocado topping sit for five minutes before serving so the flavors actually mingle instead of each ingredient just coexisting