Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken with zesty salsa verde and melted pepper jack cheese, perfect for summer dining.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Toppings
08 - 1 cup salsa verde (store-bought or homemade)
09 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese
10 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
11 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
→ Optional Garnishes
12 - 1 avocado, sliced
13 - ½ cup diced tomatoes
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly over each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage.
03 - Place the seasoned chicken on the preheated grill. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.
04 - During the final 2 minutes of grilling, spoon ¼ cup of salsa verde over each chicken breast and top with a slice of pepper jack cheese. Close the grill lid to allow the cheese to melt completely.
05 - Remove the chicken from the grill and transfer to a clean platter or cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
06 - Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the chicken breasts. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side. Add avocado slices and diced tomatoes as desired for extra freshness and color.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The pepper jack creates this incredible gooey contrast against the bright salsa verde
- Everything cooks on the grill so cleanup is practically nonexistent
02 -
- Adding the cheese too early makes it slide right off into the grill flames
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
03 -
- Letting the chicken rest is non negotiable for juicy results
- Instant read thermometers take all the guesswork out of doneness