This vibrant citrus chicken with avocado salsa is a delicious and fresh meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining.

Citrus Chicken with Avocado Salsa (30 Minutes) 16

The juicy grilled chicken with avocado and herbs pairs wonderfully with the bright salsa, offering a burst of flavor in every bite. It’s a fantastic way to bring a light yet satisfying dish to your table without spending hours in the kitchen.

Whether you’re looking for a healthy dinner option or something impressive to serve guests, this recipe delivers. The combination of zesty citrus and creamy avocado creates a harmonious balance that will delight your taste buds. Get ready to discover a new favorite that’s both simple to prepare and incredibly flavorful.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for anyone seeking a fresh, flavorful, and fast meal. You’ll adore how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is short but you still want a homemade, nutritious dinner. It’s perfect for families because the flavors are bright and appealing without being overly spicy, and it’s easily customizable to suit different preferences. This dish also shines when entertaining; its vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make it look impressive, yet the preparation is surprisingly straightforward. It’s a fantastic option for a light summer dinner, a healthy lunch, or even a casual backyard barbecue. The blend of tender, citrus-marinated chicken with the creamy, zesty avocado salsa is a combination that everyone will enjoy.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients beforehand makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh produce, ensuring you won’t need to hunt for obscure items. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the quality of its fresh components. Make sure your avocados are ripe but firm, and choose fresh herbs for the best flavor. For the chicken, boneless, skinless breasts or thighs work equally well, depending on your preference for lean or richer meat.

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
2 ripe avocados, diced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

For simple substitutions, if you don’t have fresh orange juice, you can use an extra tablespoon of lime juice, though the orange adds a nice sweetness. If you’re out of cilantro, fresh parsley can be a decent substitute for a green element, but the flavor profile will shift. For a milder salsa, simply omit the jalapeño. Any neutral cooking oil can replace olive oil for grilling the chicken, and a good quality extra virgin olive oil is recommended for the salsa to enhance its fresh taste.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it a perfect choice for those busy days. The total time from beginning to end is remarkably quick, ensuring you can have a delicious, homemade meal on the table in under an hour.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes (depending on chicken thickness)
Total Time: 25-30 minutes

This timing includes marinating the chicken for a short period, dicing the avocado and other salsa ingredients, and grilling the chicken to perfection. The short marinating time still allows the chicken to absorb plenty of citrus flavor, and the salsa comes together in a flash.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this citrus chicken with avocado salsa is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked chicken and a vibrant, fresh salsa.

Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon of fresh orange juice, chili powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the bowl, ensuring they are fully coated. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the salsa, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor.
Make the Avocado Salsa: While the chicken marinates, prepare the salsa. In a separate medium bowl, gently combine the diced avocados, finely chopped red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and minced jalapeño (if using). Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado too much. Set aside.
Preheat Your Grill or Skillet: Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat, or a large grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Lightly brush the grill grates or pan with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking.
Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Place the chicken on the preheated grill or skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is no longer pink in the center. The chicken should have nice grill marks and be juicy.
Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
Slice and Serve: Slice the rested chicken against the grain into desired pieces. Arrange the sliced chicken on plates and generously top with the fresh avocado salsa. Serve immediately.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This citrus chicken with avocado salsa is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can omit the jalapeño from the salsa and offer a side of mild sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for dipping. Kids often enjoy the chicken sliced into strips, making it easier to eat.

To vary the dish, consider adding grilled corn kernels or diced mango to the avocado salsa for extra sweetness and texture. A sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese over the top also adds a nice salty tang. If you prefer a different protein, shrimp or firm white fish like cod or tilapia can be marinated and grilled using the same method.

This dish is fantastic served as a main course on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a light meal, serve it alongside a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing. For something more substantial, consider serving it with cilantro-lime rice, quinoa, or warm tortillas to make delicious chicken tacos. It also makes a great topping for a vibrant grain bowl. For a party or buffet, you can slice the chicken into smaller pieces and serve it with the salsa as an appetizer, perhaps with tortilla chips or lettuce cups for scooping.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your citrus chicken with avocado salsa turns out perfectly every time.

One common mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts, especially, can become dry and tough if cooked for too long. To avoid this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F (74°C). Resting the chicken for 5 minutes after grilling is also crucial for juicy results.

Another slip-up is not marinating the chicken long enough or marinating it for too long. While 15-30 minutes is ideal for this recipe to impart flavor without breaking down the chicken’s texture, marinating for several hours or overnight with citrus can start to “cook” the chicken and make it mushy. Stick to the recommended short marination time.

Using unripe or overripe avocados for the salsa can significantly impact the texture and taste. Unripe avocados are hard and lack flavor, while overripe ones can be stringy and brown. Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but are not mushy.

Finally, mashing the avocado salsa too much can turn it into guacamole rather than a chunky salsa. When combining the salsa ingredients, toss them gently with a spoon or spatula to maintain the diced avocado pieces and fresh texture. The goal is a vibrant, chunky salsa, not a smooth dip.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

Proper storage is key to enjoying your leftovers and making the most of your meal prep. This citrus chicken and avocado salsa can be stored, though it’s best enjoyed fresh.

To store leftover cooked chicken, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, it’s best to do so gently to prevent the chicken from drying out. You can warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth, or in the microwave in short bursts.

The avocado salsa is best made fresh and served immediately. Avocados

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Citrus Chicken with Avocado Salsa (30 Minutes)

Table of Contents