Description
Mexican-inspired zesty grilled salsa verde chicken delivers bold flavors with tangy green sauce and perfectly charred meat. Cilantro-infused marinade and quick grilling technique create a restaurant-quality meal you can easily enjoy at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Sauces and Additional Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) salsa verde
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 slices pepper Jack cheese
- Fresh cilantro, finely minced (optional, for garnishing)
- Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Create a robust marinade by combining salsa verde, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large zip-top bag. Submerge chicken breasts completely, ensuring even coating by gently massaging the mixture into the meat.
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply; overnight marination will enhance taste complexity.
- Prepare the grill by heating to medium-high temperature and lightly coating grates with oil to prevent chicken from sticking.
- Position marinated chicken onto the preheated grill, covering with lid and cooking for approximately 5 minutes on the first side until golden brown edges develop.
- Carefully flip chicken and continue grilling for an additional 4 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches safe cooking point and exterior remains juicy.
- Reduce grill temperature to medium-low and layer each chicken breast with a slice of pepper Jack cheese, closing the lid to facilitate smooth melting.
- Once cheese has melted completely, remove chicken from grill and transfer to serving plates.
- Enhance presentation by sprinkling finely chopped cilantro over the chicken and arranging lime wedges alongside for guests to squeeze fresh citrus flavor.
- Season with additional salt, pepper, or salsa verde according to personal preference before serving.
Notes
- Overnight marinating transforms ordinary chicken into a flavor-packed, tender masterpiece by allowing salsa verde’s zesty notes to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Grilling creates gorgeous char marks while sealing in juices, with pepper Jack cheese adding a creamy, spicy kick that elevates the entire dish.
- Quick cilantro garnish and fresh lime wedges brighten the final presentation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg