Fiesta Lime Chicken Avocado (Printable)
Zesty lime-marinated chicken topped with creamy avocado and fresh garnishes for a vibrant Mexican-inspired dinner.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 cilantro
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat evenly. Cover and marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours refrigerated.
02 - Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
03 - Combine diced avocados, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Gently toss until evenly mixed.
04 - Transfer cooked chicken to serving plates. Sprinkle shredded cheese over each breast while still hot to allow slight melting.
05 - Spoon a generous portion of the avocado mixture over each chicken breast. Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The lime marinade does something magical to chicken that makes it taste like it came from a restaurant you would never guess was your own kitchen
- The avocado topping is essentially a deconstructed guacamole that you can pile on as thick as you want
02 -
- Over-marinating chicken in lime juice beyond 2 hours will start to break down the protein and give the meat a weird mushy texture
- Letting the chicken rest for even two minutes after cooking keeps the juices from running out when you cut into it
03 -
- Pound the chicken to an even thickness before marinating so every piece finishes cooking at the same time instead of having dry edges and a thick middle
- Add a quarter teaspoon of oregano to the marinade for a deeper flavor that most people will notice but not be able to name