This Lime Cilantro Chicken with Avocado Salsa is the ultimate grilling recipe. It’s easily one of the best grilled chicken recipes I’ve ever had, and is packed with all the flavors of summer! It will definitely be a new family favorite!
What Makes This Lime Cilantro Chicken Recipe So Fantastic?
- Taste. I’m not kidding when I say this is easily one of the best grilled chicken dishes I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. The chicken comes out perfectly tender, juicy and delicious thanks to the cilantro lime chicken marinade. And just when you thought it couldn’t be any better, the avocado salsa kicks the flavor up another notch. It’s the perfect dish for when you’re grilling out for friends or family!
- Easy. No need to worry about having to whip up a complicated marinade with a long list of ingredients. The marinade for this grilled chicken recipe is just 3 simple ingredients. And the salsa only takes 6 ingredients, two of which are salt and pepper, so you’re in for one laid back cook out.
- Fast. The chicken only needs to marinate for 30 minutes before it’s ready to hit the grill, so there’s no need to have to remember to start marinating the meat the night before. After it’s done marinating, you’re looking at maybe 10 minutes of grill time. And the avocado salsa? You can easily have it prepared and ready to enjoy while you wait for the chicken to cook. Don’t like avocados? I also love this homemade restaurant-style salsa (check it out here!) of mine, too!
What Goes Into This Recipe?
This dish is made with simple, hearty and healthy ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand! And if you don’t happen to have them, you should have no problem finding them all in your local grocery store.
Just a few basic and fresh ingredients and that’s all you need to make my Lime Cilantro Chicken! My kids really love this recipe too, which makes for a happy Mama at dinner time!
You’ll only need:
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh lime juice
- Olive oil
- Some skinless, boneless chicken breast
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chopped tomato
- Chopped onion
- An avocado
How Do You Make This Lime Cilantro Chicken?
This dish is incredibly simple to make, with only three steps before you can be savoring this grilled deliciousness. Simply marinate, cook and prepare the avocado salsa for a cookout dinner you will add to your summer cooking menu!
Add the cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil to your chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Set your grill to medium-high temperature and when it is preheated, place your chicken breasts on the grill.
Grill your chicken until the top side of the chicken begins to turn an opaque color (as opposed to pink). Once the top of the chicken begins to change color, flip the meat. But remember to leave it alone and let it cook. The chicken should be done in about 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Prepare the salsa by mixing the chopped tomato, chopped onion, lime juice, salt, pepper and chopped avocado until well incorporated. Garnish the chicken with the salsa and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Make This a Freezer Meal?
Yes! Add the cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil to your chicken. Place in a resealable gallon bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator the night before and then proceed with the recipe.
Does Lime Juice Tenderize Chicken?
Why yes, lime juice most certainly tenderizes chicken! Not only does the lime juice infuse the chicken with flavor, but it also helps tenderize the meat as well. This results in a grilled chicken breast that is perfectly juicy and tender every time!
How Do You Keep Avocado Salsa From Turning Brown?
Lucky for you, the lime juice will actually help keep avocado salsa from browning! The citric acid in the lime juice is a strong antioxidant, which drastically slows the browning process. I also suggest not making the salsa until the chicken is on the grill, that way you can enjoy it at its freshest!
Tips And Tricks For Making This Lime Cilantro Chicken Recipe
- Marinate. Most marinades leave some juice behind, but this one doesn’t. The lime juice and olive oil will absorb right into the meat. You can do this either in a baking pan or simply add the marinade and chicken to a zip top bag. Also, there is no need to marinate the chicken for any longer than 30 minutes.
- Same sized chicken breasts. Make sure to cut your chicken breasts in half or pound them out to be the same size thickness. This will help the chicken cook evenly.
- Remove from fridge. Before placing it on the grill, bring your chicken out of the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before cooking. It will cook more evenly.
- Make sure your grill is hot. The hotter the grill, the better the sear marks, which will give you a crispy outside and tender juicy chicken on the inside.
- Doneness test. You can test if the chicken is done cooking by pressing down on the chicken with your fingers. The meat should be firm but not hard.
- Temperature. Better yet, if you have a meat thermometer handy you can use it to check the center of the chicken to see if it is done. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165° F and should be cooked till no longer pink.
Want More Grilling Recipes?
- Steak Fajita Foil Packets – Make perfectly juicy and delicious fajitas every time with this simple grilling method!
- Barbecue Brisket {Using A DIY Smoker} – The easiest and tastiest brisket that is cooked on a grill!
- Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza – If you haven’t tried grilled pizza yet, let this be your gateway pizza!
- Garlic Lime Chicken Kabobs – Make ahead of time and use whenever you need a quick and easy (and delicious) dinner.
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake Campfire Desserts – Finish up the perfect cookout with a delicious dessert you can prepare on the grill!
Next time you want to grill, you should make this Lime Cilantro Chicken with Avocado Salsa! The flavors are perfect for summer, and it’s a quick meal with fresh ingredients – which makes my Mama heart happy!
Lime Cilantro Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 tbsp minced fresh cilantro
- 2 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 1 pinch of salt
Salsa
- 1 cup chopped tomato
- 2 tbsp finely chopped onion
- 2 tsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 avocado peeled and finely chopped
Instructions
Chicken
- Add cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil to your chicken.
- Marinade for 30 min.
- Set your grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill your chicken until the top side of the chicken begins to turn an opaque color. Once the top of the chicken begins to change color, flip the meat. Cook chicken until it reaches 165 degrees using a thermometer and is cooked all the way through, with no pink inside.
Salsa
- Combined all salsa ingredients in med. sized bowl.
- Once chicken is cooked, garnish chicken with salsa.
Notes
- Marinate. Most marinades leave some juice behind, but this one doesn’t. The lime juice and olive oil will absorb right into the meat. You can do this either in a baking pan or simply add the marinade and chicken to a zip top bag. Also, there is no need to marinate the chicken for any longer than 30 minutes.
- Same sized chicken breasts. Make sure to cut your chicken breasts in half or pound them out to be the same size thickness. This will help the chicken cook evenly.
- Remove from fridge. Before placing it on the grill, bring your chicken out of the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before cooking. It will cook more evenly.
- Make sure your grill is hot. The hotter the grill, the better the sear marks, which will give you a crispy outside and tender juicy chicken on the inside.
- Doneness test. You can test if the chicken is done cooking by pressing down on the chicken with your fingers. The meat should be firm but not hard.
- Temperature. Better yet, if you have a meat thermometer handy you can use it to check the center of the chicken to see if it is done. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165° F and should be cooked till no longer pink.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Dawn says
I haven’t tried this yet but plan to this summer! Looks delicious! It would be great as a salad too!!
Jess says
We make this every week in the summertime! So delicious!
Bev says
I just made Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa Recipe and it was awesome ever! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Can’t wait to make more them.
Tiffany says
Where do you find avocados for 25 cents?
Karrie says
Fiesta Foods had a sale 4/$1 a while back 🙂
Sara says
Pretty good post. I just came by your site and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your posts. Any way
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you write again soon!
Brenda says
I am so excited to try this and glad you are adding recipies!!! I have so many people tell me that when you coupon or buy cheap food it is all processed and not healthy. Wait until they see this! I hope you can continue to share some frugal “healthy” meals!!!
Ashleigh says
we need a picture with the avacado salsa on it. oh this looks so good, and it is so inexpensive!
Bethany Vaughn says
This is a wonderful dish. It is taking cheep ingredients, and making something you could order at a restaurant. It is a great one to have company over for dinner also!