Juicy Grilled California Avocado Chicken (Print View)
Grilled chicken breasts crowned with creamy California avocado salsa, tomatoes, cilantro and a bright lime finish.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
07 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - Juice of 1 lime
→ Avocado Salsa
09 - 2 ripe California avocados, diced
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
11 - ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - Juice of 1 lime
14 - ½ teaspoon sea salt
15 - ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F (200°C), ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled.
02 - In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Whisk until a smooth paste forms.
03 - Pat the chicken breasts thoroughly dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of each breast evenly with the seasoning paste, ensuring full coverage.
04 - Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and juices run clear. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
05 - While the chicken grills, gently toss the diced avocados, quartered cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, sea salt, black pepper, and jalapeño (if using) in a medium bowl. Fold carefully to avoid mashing the avocado.
06 - Arrange the rested grilled chicken breasts on plates and spoon the avocado salsa generously over the top. Serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The smoky paprika crust on the chicken pairs with cool avocado salsa in a way that feels almost too easy for something this good.
- Everything comes together in thirty minutes, which means you can pull this off on a Tuesday without breaking a sweat.
02 -
- If you marinate the chicken longer than two hours the lime juice will start breaking down the meat and you will get a spongy texture you cannot fix.
- Adding the jalapeño seeds turns a pleasant warmth into an aggressive burn that overwhelms the delicate avocado flavor.
03 -
- Pound the chicken to an even half inch thickness before marinating so every piece finishes cooking at the same time and nothing dries out.
- Taste the avocado salsa on its own before serving and adjust the salt, because a slightly undersalted salsa makes the whole dish taste flat.