Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken (Printable)

Juicy grilled chicken with a zesty green salsa and melted spicy cheese for a flavorful dish.

# 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 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

08 - 1 cup salsa verde (store-bought or homemade)
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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly over each chicken breast, coating all sides.
03 - Place chicken on the preheated grill. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
04 - During the final 2 minutes of grilling, spoon 1/4 cup 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 - Transfer chicken to a clean platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges. Add avocado slices and diced tomatoes if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice rub creates this beautiful crust that locks in all the juices
  • Salsa verde adds such a bright tangy punch that cuts through the rich cheese
  • Everything cooks on the grill so cleanup is practically nonexistent
02 -
  • Closing the grill lid when melting the cheese is what makes it go all bubbly and golden
  • That 5-minute rest period is non-negotiable or the juices will run out onto your cutting board
03 -
  • Pound the chicken to even thickness so all pieces finish cooking at the same time
  • Let the grill come back to temperature between batches if you are cooking more than four pieces

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