Description
This zesty grilled salsa verde chicken recipe combines Mexican flavors with smoky grilled techniques. Chicken marinated in tangy green salsa delivers bold, fresh taste sensations you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz (340 g) salsa verde
- 4 slices pepper Jack cheese
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps lime juice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh cilantro, finely minced (optional, for garnishing)
- Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Marinate: Whisk salsa verde, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper in a zip-top bag. Immerse chicken breasts, massaging marinade thoroughly into the meat for comprehensive flavor infusion. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
- Grill Preparation: Heat grill to medium-high, lightly oil grates to prevent sticking. Position marinated chicken on hot surface, covering with lid and cooking 5 minutes until golden brown edges emerge.
- Cooking Technique: Flip chicken, grill additional 4 minutes ensuring safe internal temperature. Lower heat to medium-low, top each breast with pepper Jack cheese, closing lid to encourage smooth melting.
- Finishing Touch: Remove chicken from grill, plate immediately. Garnish with fresh cilantro, accompany with lime wedges for personalized citrus enhancement. Season with extra salt, pepper, or salsa verde to taste.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Infusion: Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, but overnight marination delivers deeper, more complex taste profiles that elevate the entire dish.
- Prevent Sticking Disaster: Lightly oil grill grates before cooking to ensure chicken doesn’t tear or stick, maintaining perfect exterior and juicy interior.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, guaranteeing safe cooking while preserving tender, succulent texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Close grill lid when adding pepper Jack cheese to create even melting and enhance overall flavor integration.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg