Description
Fiesta Lime Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring juicy marinated chicken breasts cooked to perfection on the stovetop, topped with a fresh and colorful avocado salsa bursting with lime and spices. This easy and quick recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Avocado Salsa
- 2 medium avocados, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh corn kernels from 1 ear
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well to create the marinade. Add the chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Make avocado salsa: In a separate bowl, gently mix chopped avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh corn kernels, diced red onion, diced red bell pepper, minced jalapeno, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and season with salt and pepper. Stir carefully to combine all ingredients without mashing the avocados.
- Cook chicken: Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Ensure the chicken has a nice sear without burning.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes to retain its juices. Slice the chicken and top with the fresh avocado salsa. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing and zesty flavors.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer, up to 2 hours, will enhance the flavor even more.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno in the salsa to control the heat level.
- Serve with warm tortillas or over rice for a complete meal.
- Ensure the skillet is properly heated before adding chicken to achieve a good sear.
