Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado (Printable)
Zesty lime-marinated chicken grilled and finished with avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion and cilantro.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 limes, juiced
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon honey
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Topping & Garnishes
11 - 1 large avocado, diced
12 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (optional)
16 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How to Cook:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Arrange chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish, pour marinade over chicken ensuring even coating, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for full flavor.
03 - Set grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, allowing it to preheat thoroughly before cooking.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drain. Place chicken on grill and cook 6 to 8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
05 - In a bowl, gently combine diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and cilantro. Season lightly with salt and toss carefully.
06 - If using cheese, sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar over chicken in the final 2 minutes of grilling and close the grill to melt.
07 - Arrange grilled chicken on serving plates, top with avocado mixture, squeeze fresh lime over, and garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The marinade soaks into the chicken in a way that always surprises you—just a short while, and it’s packed with flavor.
- It’s endlessly adaptable, so you can add cheese or leave it out, make it mild or spicy, and it never feels fussy.
02 -
- I once under-marinated the chicken, and it lacked punch—15 minutes is truly the bare minimum, but longer is even better.
- Tossing the avocado topping too roughly led to an unsightly mash—gentle wins the day here.
03 -
- Don’t rush the marinade—even 30 minutes makes a big difference in flavor and tenderness.
- Wipe your grill with oil before cooking for perfect grill marks and no sticking.