Description
Transform your weeknight dinner with this vibrant Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa! In under 30 minutes, you’ll have perfectly seared, juicy chicken with a zesty fiesta lime rub, all topped with a cool, creamy, and refreshing avocado salsa. It’s a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Fiesta Lime Chicken
1 pound chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice (from about 1 lime)
Lime zest from 1 lime
For the Fiesta Lime Rub
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)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Fresh Avocado Salsa
2 medium avocados, ripe but firm, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
Fresh corn from 1 ear of sweet corn
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1 jalapeno pepper, diced with seeds removed
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced (or ¼ tsp garlic powder)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 tsp EACH ground cumin, salt
1/8 tsp pepper, or more to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Rub
In a small bowl, whisk together all the rub ingredients: chili powder, brown sugar, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, optional chipotle, and pepper.
Marinate the Chicken
Place the pounded chicken in a bowl. Drizzle it with olive oil, lime juice, and lime zest. Sprinkle the prepared rub over the chicken and use your hands to coat it thoroughly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until seared and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer it to a cutting board.
Rest and Make Salsa
While the chicken rests, prepare the avocado salsa. In a medium bowl, gently combine the chopped avocados, tomatoes, corn, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. In a separate small bowl, mix the lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper, then pour this dressing over the avocado mixture and toss gently to combine.
Serve
Slice the rested chicken against the grain. Arrange it on a plate and top with a generous spoonful of the fresh avocado salsa.
Notes
Don’t Skip Resting
Always let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This is essential for keeping the meat moist and juicy.
Even Cooking
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures it cooks uniformly without drying out.
Keep Salsa Green
For the freshest salsa, prepare it just before serving. If you must make it ahead, press plastic wrap directly onto its surface to minimize air contact and prevent browning.
Juicy Limes
To get the most juice from your limes, roll them firmly on the counter for a few seconds before cutting and squeezing.
Recipe Variations
Serve the sliced chicken and salsa in warm tortillas for tacos, or create a hearty salad by serving it over a bed of mixed greens with black beans and crushed tortilla strips.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 575
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 85
Keywords: lime chicken, avocado salsa, fiesta lime chicken, easy chicken recipe, 30-minute meal, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken breast recipe, gluten-free dinner, chicken and avocado, Mexican chicken