Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken (Print View)

Tender grilled chicken breasts with salsa verde and melted pepper jack cheese, ideal for summer meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

08 - 1 cup salsa verde
09 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese
10 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
11 - 1 lime cut into wedges

→ Optional Garnishes

12 - 1 avocado sliced
13 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat approximately 400°F.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry. Combine olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
04 - During the final 2 minutes of grilling, top each breast with 1/4 cup salsa verde and one slice pepper jack cheese. Close grill lid to melt cheese.
05 - Remove chicken from grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
06 - Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges. Add avocado slices and diced tomatoes if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The pepper jack and salsa verde combo creates this incredible creamy tangy situation that makes plain grilled chicken seem boring forever
  • Everything cooks on the grill so cleanup is literally just one plate and some tongs
02 -
  • Cheese can drip through grill grates and cause flare ups so use a grill mat or place the chicken on a piece of foil during the last 2 minutes
  • Letting chicken rest after grilling is not optional it makes the difference between juicy meat and something dry and disappointing
03 -
  • Pound thicker chicken breasts to an even thickness before grilling so they cook uniformly and you do not end up with dry ends
  • If your salsa verde is too tart add a tiny pinch of sugar before spooning it on the chicken

Go Back