Grilled Chicken with Peach Avocado Salsa Recipe
Looking for a mouthwatering recipe that combines the smoky goodness of grilled chicken with the fresh flavors of the season? Wait until you try this grilled chicken recipe with peach avocado salsa.
When you want something different from the usual burgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken is a great option!
It’s one of my go-to recipes for summer and is a great dish for those seeking a healthy protein source.
But the best part?
Grilled chicken tastes even better when you add fresh flavors from the season with delicious salsa.
This recipe is a wonderful way to use the harvest from your vegetable garden and it looks beautiful all plated up.
It’s perfect for a quiet evening at home and works well for a small dinner party too.
Wait until you see how easy and delicious this recipe is to make!
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Grilled Chicken With Peach Avocado Salsa: Your New Favorite Summer Dish
One of the reasons I love making grilled chicken is because it’s simple to make, a healthier grilling option, and a versatile dish that can be used with different sauces and salsas depending on your mood.
Because I grow a vegetable garden, I love the combination of grilled chicken with fresh homegrown flavors.
And what better way to enjoy it than making a refreshing salsa to pair with it?
Since we are heading into peach season, today we are grilling up some chicken and serving it with a tasty avocado peach salsa.
To make the most of this recipe, it’s important to start with high-quality chicken. I prefer using thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts as they cook quickly and evenly.
However, you can use any cut of chicken that suits your preferences. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to adjust your cooking time.
Before using in any dish, trim off any fat.
What if I Don’t Have a Grill to Make this Recipe?
If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, don’t worry! You can still make this recipe with a few small tweaks based on what you have.
Here are a few options:
- Stovetop Grill Pan: A stovetop grill pan is a great indoor alternative that mimics the grill’s cooking process.
- Air Fryer/Oven: While it won’t replicate the exact char and smoky flavor of grilling, an air fryer or oven can still yield tasty chicken breasts.
- Indoor Grill or Electric Grill: If you have an indoor grill or an electric grill, you can use it to grill chicken breasts indoors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating and cooking times.
- Pan-Seared: Pan-searing chicken breasts on the stovetop is another option.
Why Should I Use Chicken Breasts?
While you can make this recipe using different cuts of chicken, I think breasts work best for grilling. Here’s why.
Lean and Healthy
Chicken breasts are known for being lean cuts of meat. They have lower fat content compared to other chicken parts, making them a healthier choice for those watching their waistline.
Grilling chicken breasts allows the excess fat to drip away, resulting in a lighter and healthier dish.
And to me, they are just easier to serve and eat.
Versatile
Chicken breasts are a versatile cut of meat that can be prepared in so many different ways. They can be marinated, seasoned, or paired with different sauces or spices to create a wide range of flavor profiles.
Whether you prefer a simple seasoning or a complex marinade, chicken breasts can adapt well to different flavors and culinary styles.
Quick Cooking Time
Chicken breasts are relatively quick to cook compared to other cuts of chicken, such as thighs or drumsticks.
They tend to have a consistent thickness, allowing for more even cooking, which reduces the risk of undercooking or overcooking.
This makes them ideal for grilling, where you can achieve juicy and tender results with shorter cooking times.
Tastier Results
When cooked properly, chicken breasts can be juicy and tender. By marinating or brining the chicken breasts before grilling, you can enhance their tenderness and flavor.
Additionally, grilling helps seal in the natural juices, resulting in moist and more flavorful meat.
Versatility in Presentation
But they aren’t just versatile as a dish, they can also be served in a multitude of ways for different meals and occasions.
Grilled chicken breasts can be enjoyed as a main course with sides like vegetables, grains, or salads. They can also be sliced or diced to top salads, stuffed in sandwiches or wraps, or even be used as a protein addition to pasta dishes or stir-fries.
I love using leftover chicken breast in this chicken salad with grapes recipe. It’s one of my favorite go-to lunches.
But I also love adding it to this easy spinach salad recipe too.
And it’s really good if you make a sandwich with it using fresh Italian bread with this caprese salad recipe.
Sometimes, I’ll even spread some basil pesto homemade on the bread too!
Widely Available
Chicken breasts are readily available in most grocery stores or markets, making them accessible for home cooks.
They are a popular cut of meat and can be found in both bone-in and boneless options, allowing for further customization based on personal preferences and cooking methods.
Marinating the Chicken Properly Before Grilling
Marinating chicken properly is key to infusing it with flavor and enhancing its tenderness. If you’ve never marinated chicken before, here’s a step-by-step guide to get the most flavorful dish.
- Choose the right container.
- Prep the chicken.
- Make the marinade.
- Place the chicken in a container or plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Ensure that the chicken is fully coated. Then seal the container or close the bag securely, squeezing out any excess air to promote even marination.
- Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for at least two hours depending on the cut. As a general guideline, two hours to overnight is sufficient. Keep in mind that delicate cuts like chicken breasts may require less marinating time, while tougher cuts like chicken thighs benefit from longer marination.
- Keep the chicken refrigerated at all times to prevent bacterial growth. Avoid leaving chicken at room temperature for an extended period.
- Turn the chicken in the marinade occasionally to ensure even exposure to the flavors. This step is optional but can help distribute the marinade more uniformly.
- When you’re ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade, and discard any leftover marinade. Do not reuse it as it came in contact with raw chicken and could contain bacteria.
- Before cooking, pat the marinated chicken dry with paper towels. This helps remove excess moisture, promoting better browning and preventing steaming during cooking.
- Cook as desired.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken Breasts?
The cooking time for grilling chicken breasts can vary depending on several factors, including the thickness of the chicken, the heat of the grill, and personal preference for doneness.
As a general guideline, boneless, skinless chicken breasts typically take about 6 to 8 minutes per side on a medium-high heat grill.
Thicker chicken breasts may require slightly longer cooking times, while thinner ones may cook more quickly, usually about 4-5 minutes per side.
You can use a meat thermometer like this one to check for doneness.
Should Chicken Breasts Be Cooked Cold or From Room Temperature?
It is generally recommended to grill chicken breasts at room temperature rather than straight from the refrigerator.
Allowing the chicken to come to room temperature before grilling helps ensure more even cooking and juicier results.
When you place cold chicken breasts on a hot grill, the outside of the chicken may cook faster than the inside, resulting in unevenly cooked chicken.
Plus, cold chicken takes longer to cook compared to room-temperature chicken. By starting with room-temperature chicken breasts, you can reduce the overall grilling time, which helps prevent drying out the meat.
To bring chicken breasts to room temperature, remove them from the refrigerator and let them sit for about 15 to 30 minutes. The time may vary depending on the chicken size and thickness of the breasts.
But don’t leave the chicken at room temperature for an extended period to ensure food safety. Always keep in mind proper food handling practices and maintain good hygiene when preparing and grilling chicken.
How to Grill Chicken Breasts to Perfection
Grilling chicken breasts effectively involves several key steps to ensure they are cooked through, flavorful, and juicy. Here’s a quick guide to help you grill chicken breasts to perfection.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat to ensure even cooking and create a nice sear on the chicken.
- Oil the grates to prevent sticking before placing your chicken on the grill. Using tongs and a folded paper towel dipped in cooking oil, carefully rub the oiled towel over the grates. You can also use a grill spray like this to help keep your chicken from sticking.
- Place the chicken on the grill then close the grill lid to retain heat and maintain an even cooking temperature. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop grill marks and sear the first side.
- Use tongs to flip the chicken breasts to the other side. Cook for an equal amount of time on the second side. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Check for doneness using an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, make a small cut in the thickest part of the chicken to check for any pinkness or rawness. The juices should run clear.
- When the chicken breasts are done, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier and more flavorful chicken.
Remember to adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the intensity of your grill’s heat. Overcooking can lead to dry chicken, and we definitely don’t want that!
Tips for Making Peach Avocado Salsa
The delightful combination of sweet peaches, creamy avocados, and tangy lime juice in this recipe will elevate your grilled chicken to new heights.
As an aside, this salsa is also really good with this easy shrimp taco recipe. Just saying!
When making any salsa, it’s so important to create uniformly diced ingredients to help ensure an even distribution of flavors and textures.
Here are some tips to dice the ingredients uniformly.
- Always use a sharp knife.
- Choose consistent sizes. For salsa, a small to medium dice is generally preferred.
- Start by dicing the firmest ingredients, such as onions or bell peppers. These ingredients provide a good base and are easier to handle.
- Once the firm ingredients are diced, move on to the softer ones, like ripe peaches or avocados. These can be more delicate, so handle them gently to maintain their texture.
- As you dice each ingredient, aim to maintain a similar size throughout. This ensures that all the components blend harmoniously in the salsa.
- Feel free to customize the dice size according to your preference and the texture you want for the salsa.
Recipe for Grilled Chicken With Avocado Peach Salsa
Since we are marinating, grilling chicken, and making salsa, this is not the quickest dish you’ll ever make, but I can promise you that it tastes fresh and delicious which will please a crowd.
Here’s how to make it!
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- Boneless, skinless thin chicken breasts
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Large garlic cloves, minced
- Cilantro
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh lime zest
- Lime, juiced
For the avocado peach salsa:
- Peaches – peeled, pitted, and diced
- Jalapeño pepper – seeded and minced
- Red onion – minced
- Red bell pepper – minced
- fresh cilantro, or to taste
- cloves garlic, grated or pushed through a press
- lime, juiced
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- avocado – peeled, pitted, and diced
Directions
Prepare the chicken for grilling.
Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag, then add the chicken breasts to the bag. Massage the marinade into the meat until evenly coated.
Seal the bag and place it in a bowl or on a dish in the refrigerator to protect it from leakage. Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours but you can even do overnight.
Next, prepare the salsa.
Gently mix peaches, jalapeño, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, and lime juice, in a bowl. Then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Fold the avocado into the salsa just before serving.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook, covered, for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Because the breasts are thin, they will cook quickly so keep an eye on them. Do not overcook.
Bringing It All Together
Once the chicken is cooked through and the peach avocado salsa is prepared, it’s time to assemble this delectable dish.
Place the grilled chicken breasts on a platter and generously spoon the salsa over the top, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of freshness.
Serve your grilled chicken with peach avocado salsa alongside a crisp garden salad or some grilled veggies for a complete and satisfying meal.
Grilled Chicken with Avocado Peach Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Pounds Chicken breasts Boneless, skinless thin
- 6 Tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 5 Cloves Garlic Large, minced
- 3 Tablespoons Cilantro chopped
- 1 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- .5 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 1/5 Teaspoon Lime Zest Fresh
- 1 Lime Juiced
Peach Salsa Ingredients
- 2 Cups Peaches peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1 Cup Avocado peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1/4 Cup Jalapeño pepper seeded and minced
- 1 Cup Red onion minced
- 3/4 Cup Red bell pepper minced
- Cilantro fresh, to taste, garnish
- 2 cloves Garlic grated or pushed through a press
- 1 lime juiced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken for grilling. Trim off any fat.
- Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag, then add the chicken breasts to the bag. Massage the marinade into the meat until evenly coated.
- Seal the bag and place it in a bowl or on a dish in the refrigerator to protect it from leakage. Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours but you can even do overnight.
- Next, prepare the salsa. Gently mix peaches, jalapeño, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, and lime juice, in a bowl. Then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Fold the avocado into the salsa just before serving.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook, covered, for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
- Place the grilled chicken breasts on a platter and generously spoon the salsa over the top, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of freshness.
Nutrition
More about Grilled Chicken with Peach Salsa
Do you love grilled chicken too? Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share? Have you ever had peach salsa before to pair with grilled chicken? I would love to know more in the comments below.
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Looking for More Great Recipes Using Fresh Ingredients From the Garden?
I love to make food with harvests from my vegetable and herb garden. Here are a few recipes to try!
- Nachos Loaded with Cilantro and Spinach
- Easy Spinach Salad Recipe
- Caprese Salad Bites Appetizer
- Grandma’s Bruschetta Tomatoes Recipe
- Zucchini Quiche
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