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Grilled chicken with avocado salsa is juicy, smoky chicken topped with a fresh avocado-tomato salsa. A healthy, fresh, and easy dinner any night of the week.
Grilled chicken with avocado salsa is a fresh, satisfying dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes. Tender, smoky chicken pairs beautifully with a chunky avocado salsa, creating a combination that feels both hearty and light. It’s naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and Whole30-friendly, so it fits just about any way you eat, and it’s a great choice for busy weeknights, family dinners, or easy meal prep.
I’ve been making this grilled chicken with avocado salsa for probably 15 years. It’s a fresh, delicious meal in the summer that doesn’t heat up the house, but is loaded with bright, zesty flavor.
This grilled chicken with avocado salsa is quickly going to become a favorite in your house. It’s ready in about 35 minutes start to finish, including time for the chicken to marinate. And that fresh avocado salsa is downright delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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- Chicken Breasts – you can use chicken thighs as well for this recipe
- Olive Oil
- Lime Juice
- Garlic
- Salt & Pepper
- Avocados
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Cilantro
Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup lime juice, (about 3 limes)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Avocado Salsa:
- 2 avocados, pitted and diced
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 3 Tablespoons diced onion
- 2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- Lime wedges, (optional)
Instructions
- In a large resealable plastic bag combine all the ingredients for the chicken. Mix and make sure the chicken is well coated. Marinate for 20 minutes.1 clove garlic, 1/3 cup lime juice, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for about 6 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through. Chicken should have an internal temperature of 165º when it is fully cooked.
- Meanwhile prepare the salsa by mixing all the salsa ingredients together in a bowl. Stir until well combined. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.2 avocados, 2 roma tomatoes, 3 Tablespoons diced onion, 2 Tablespoons cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 lime
- To serve, place about 1/4 cup of salsa over each chicken breast. Garish with additional lime wedges if desired.Lime wedges
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Grilled Avocado Chicken
- Marinate. In a plastic zip top bag or a shallow bowl whisk together lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Place in the fridge for about 20 minutes to marinate.
- Salsa. Meanwhile prepare the avocado salsa by mixing together diced avocado, diced tomato, onion, cilantro, salt, pepper and lime juice. Once everything is well combined store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Grill. Place pieces of chicken on a hot grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until the chicken is cooked through, which is an internal temperature of 165º F. How long will depend on how thick your chicken is. If you are using chicken cutlets, it will take closer to 4 minutes a side.
- Serve. Remove the chicken from the grill and top with avocado salsa to serve.
Yep, if you don’t have a grill you can absolutely cook this in a skillet or on an indoor grill. Just heat the pan to medium high heat and add the chicken. It should still take 5-6 minutes per side. Just take the internal temperature to make sure it is to 165ºF, and safe to eat.
Absolutely. You really can cook the chicken whatever your favorite way to cook chicken is. I like the flavor the grill gives it. But you can bake the chicken at 425ºF for about 20 minutes, or you could even use the air fryer. Follow the Air Fryer Chicken Breast instructions to get the proper time and temperature.
The avocado salsa is best made when you are ready to serve. The avocados will start to turn brown and not have the same texture if you make it too much ahead of time. But you can cook the chicken ahead and just reheat to serve if desired.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and Whole30-friendly as written, since it’s just chicken, citrus, and fresh produce. It doesn’t contain flour, sugar, or processed ingredients. It’s a great option if you’re watching carbs or just want a lighter dinner that still feels filling thanks to the protein and healthy fats from the avocado.
What Goes With Avocado Chicken
This is such a versatile dish you really can serve whatever your favorite side is. You could also serve with Tortilla Chips to scoop up more of that delicious salsa!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- The avocado salsa is best shortly after you make it. So it is best not to make it ahead of time. The avocado will start to turn brown and not be the same texture if it sits for too long.
- Use a meat thermometer to check when your chicken is done. Most people are so concerned about serving undercooked chicken that they cook it for way too long. The best thing is to check for doneness. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165º F, it is done cooking and perfectly safe to eat.
- Make sure to preheat your grill while the chicken is marinating. You want to put the chicken on a very hot grill. This not only gives you the grill marks you always want, but it sears the outside of the chicken quickly. This locks in the juices and makes your chicken more tender and delicious.
- Use chicken pieces that are all about the same size. If you have one very large piece and a smaller piece, the smaller one will be very over done by the time the bigger one is cooked. So if you need to pound them thinner so they are the same thickness you can. Or if they are very large chicken breasts, you can cut them in half or butterfly them, so they are thinner and easier to cook evenly.
Variations To Try
- Add heat. Stir in a diced, seeded jalapeño for a spicier salsa.
- No cilantro? Swap it for fresh parsley if you’re not a cilantro fan.
- Milder onion. Soak diced onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the salsa to take the bite off.
Storing Leftovers
Store the chicken and the avocado salsa in separate airtight containers in the fridge, the chicken will keep for up to 3-4 days. The salsa is best within a day, since the avocado will start to brown and soften. Pressing plastic wrap directly against the surface of the salsa (and a little extra lime juice) helps slow the browning if you do need to store it for a few hours.
The cooked chicken freezes well on its own for up to 3 months, just thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently before topping with a fresh batch of salsa. The salsa itself doesn’t freeze well, since avocado turns mushy and discolored once thawed.
This sounds so tasty. I can see myself making this all summer! I will eat anything with tomatoes or avocados in it so perfect for me 🙂 So glad you were able to join us for cinco de mayo!
Holy chicken guacamole! I am so making this when I finish moving! This looks very yummy and simple. 🙂
I searched Google for a recipe for chicken that I could make with some leftover guacamole I had…oh my goodness this is SO good!!! The marinade is so easy, fast, and it is so delicious! As simple as it is, it gives the chicken so much flavor. It is so fresh and flavorful. I will be using this recipe over and over again! Thank you!!!
Thanks! I am so glad you liked it. Anything with avocado is a hit with me!
Amazing flavors, and so easy to eat!
A combination of my favorites! Avocado + Chicken? It’s the best!
This looks and sounds incredibly delicious!! Can’t wait to try it!
My family would love this!! Its full of amazing flavors!
Love this idea for dinner! This chicken looks irresistible! Yum!
Absolutely spot on for summer food, whole family loved it, tho I did melt a slice of provalone on my chicken breast at the last min. Wonderful meal!