Description
This vibrant Fiesta Lime Chicken is marinated in zesty lime and spices, then baked to juicy perfection. Topped with a fresh avocado salsa, it’s a flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Avocado Salsa:
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (adjust for spice preference)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chicken Marinade:
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Cooking the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Preparing the Avocado Salsa:
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the avocado salsa.
- In a medium bowl, combine diced avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno pepper (if using), and chopped cilantro.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the avocado mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- To serve, spoon a generous amount of avocado salsa onto a plate. Place the sliced chicken on top and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the spiciness of the salsa by altering the amount of jalapeno used.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with salsa
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg