Description
A flavorful Tex-Mex grilled chicken recipe featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with a zesty spice rub, topped with tangy salsa verde and melted pepper jack cheese. Perfectly garnished with fresh cilantro and served with lime wedges, this dish is a delicious and wholesome main course ideal for summer grilling.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 cup salsa verde (jarred or homemade)
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin for consistent cooking throughout each piece.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful spice rub.
- Season Chicken: Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Grill Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add Salsa Verde and Cheese: During the last 2 minutes of grilling, spoon 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 perfectly.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges for a burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in half of the salsa verde for 30 minutes before grilling.
- You can also cook this indoors using a grill pan or bake it in the oven as an alternative to outdoor grilling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
