Fiesta Lime Chicken Avocado (Printer-friendly)
Lime-marinated chicken topped with fresh avocado, tomato, and cilantro 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 fresh cilantro
# How To Make It:
01 - Whisk together lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours.
02 - Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until the 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 distribute evenly.
04 - Transfer the cooked chicken to serving plates. Sprinkle shredded cheese over each breast while hot so it melts slightly, if desired.
05 - Top each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of the avocado mixture. Finish with lime wedges and extra cilantro. Serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The lime marinade does double duty as a tenderizer and a flavor bomb that soaks deep into every bite
- The cool avocado topping is the perfect contrast to smoky, spiced chicken
- It comes together in 40 minutes flat but tastes like you planned it for days
02 -
- The longer you marinate past two hours the lime acid will start breaking down the chicken texture in an unpleasant way, so set a timer
- Letting the chicken rest even for two minutes after cooking makes a real difference in juiciness, do not skip it
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels before searing if you want the deepest crust possible
- A squeeze of fresh lime over the finished plate wakes up every single flavor on the dish, do it right before eating