Chicken with avocado and cucumber is a Mexican chicken recipe that I really enjoy, especially served with tortilla chips for dipping. In addition to being tasty, it also has major health benefits because of the nutrients and healthy fats in avocado and chicken.
Chicken with avocado is one of my favorite meals, and I know it’s one of your favorites, too! It’s simple to make and always seems to be a hit with my friends. Of course, I usually invite them over before they hurt me with an intent to steal.
Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa (Keto)
Healthy Cilantro Lime grilled chicken topped with fresh avocado salsa making this dish a DELICIOUS low-carb & Keto Dinner in under 30 minutes!
Grilled chicken is a great lunch and dinner option because it’s low in fat and high in protein. Pair this zesty cilantro lime grilled chicken with avocado salsa and you’ve got yourself a dish that will become a family favorite! We make this dish at least once a week because of how fresh, healthy, delicious and easy it is to make.
The flavor of the cilantro lime chicken along with the fresh avocado, tomato, onion, and lime is a combo made in heaven. This tasty meal is a must try especially if you are on a low-carb or keto diet. The lean chicken and avocado will keep you full for hours with just 5 net carbs (minus fiber) per serving!
The chicken can be marinated ahead of time and kept in the fridge or freezer for easy prep. If you’re in a rush and do not have time to marinate the chicken, use the chicken right away and it will still taste great.
To Make grilled CIlantro Lime Chicken you will need:
- Fresh boneless, skinless chicken
- Garlic, minced or crushed
- Fresh Squeezed lime juice
- cilantro
- seasoning
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl or ziplock bag and use right away or marinate up to 24 hours in the Refridgerator.
Grill the chicken on an outdoor grill or indoors in a heavy duty cast iron pan or skillet (<-this is the one I use and my favorite for grilling chicken!). Use an instant-read thermometer and cook until the temperature reached 160F or until the chicken is firm and no longer pink.
While the chicken is grilling, prepare the salsa by chopping up (as big or small as you’d like) avocado, tomato, onion, and cilantro. Gently combine the chopped veggies along with with a drizzle of lime and a dash of salt & pepper.
To prepare ahead of time: prepare no longer than 2 hours ahead of time and cover the avocado salsa with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Healthy Cilantro Lime grilled chicken breasts topped with fresh avocado salsa making this dish a DELICIOUS low-carb & Keto Dinner in under 30 minutes!
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: avocado, grilled chicken, guacamole, healthy, keto, low-carb, salsa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 468kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or 4 chicken breasts
For the Marinade
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Avocado Salsa
- 2 avocados diced
- 2 small (or 1 large tomato) chopped
- ¼ cup red onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno de-seeded and chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup cilantro finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- fresh cracked pepper & salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk all the ingredients for the marinade and set aside.
- Pound the breasts to even thickness or slice in half horizontally to get evenly sized breasts and add to the bowl of marinade. Mix through until the chicken is fully coated in the marinade. Use right away if needed or marinate for 30-minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Grill chicken over medium-high heat or in a large heavy-duty skillet on the stovetop for 5-6 minutes per side or until the inside is cooked through and the outside is charred. Top with fresh avocado salsa and serve immediately.
To Make Avocado Salsa
- While the chicken is grilled, combine all the ingredients for the salsa in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap in the fridge until ready to use.
Chicken and avocado recipes
Enjoy chicken and avocado in salads, sandwiches and wraps. This delicious combination is popular in Mexican tacos, Cajun chicken burgers and more.
- Chicken & avocado sandwich topperA star rating of 4 out of 5.3 ratingsLean chicken makes a great base for a sandwich. Combine with fresh salad ingredients and a little low-fat mayonnaise
- Chicken breast with avocado saladA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.41 ratingsA satisfying solo salad that’s superhealthy – great for a busy worknight supper
- Peruvian chicken, avocado & quinoa saladA star rating of 4.9 out of 5.7 ratingsFed up with pasta salad? This gluten-free alternative is packed with lean protein from the chicken, and healthy, heart-friendly fats from the avocado
- Spicy chicken & avocado wrapsA star rating of 4.4 out of 5.78 ratingsPan-fry lean chicken breast with lime, chilli and garlic, then pile onto seeded tortilla wraps. Cool before assembling if packing for lunch
- Warm chicken & avocado saladA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratingsFull of flavour with less fat
- Quick chicken hummus bowlA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.24 ratingsMake our healthy chicken and hummus salad bowl for a delicious budget lunch option. It can be thrown together in just 10 minutes and delivers three of your 5-a-day
- Fully loaded Cajun chicken burgersA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.147 ratingsGrilled Cajun-spiced chicken breasts topped with bacon, avocado and cheese… set to become a Friday night favourite
- Griddled chicken fajitas with squashed avocadoA star rating of 4.5 out of 5.22 ratingsFill tortilla wraps with smoky paprika chicken, a fresh tomato salsa and smashed avocado to make a midweek meal in just 20 minutes
- Lighter chicken tacosA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.14 ratingsThe same tasty Mexican dish with half the fat of standard tacos. Pile on the chicken, salsa and guacamole, and build yourself a delicious dinner
- Chicken, carrot & avocado rollsA star rating of 4 out of 5.4 ratingsHealthy, quick and simple tortilla wraps with shredded chicken, vegetables and salad – perfect for little lunchboxes
- Cumin chicken & avocado saladA star rating of 4.3 out of 5.4 ratingsA pinch of chilli gives this a nice kick, perfect in the garden with a few Mexican beers
- Chicken fajitas with avocado & Caesar dressingA star rating of 4.5 out of 5.9 ratingsA fun, light and healthy family dinner that the kids can get involved in making too
- Vitality chicken salad with avocado dressingA star rating of 4 out of 5.9 ratingsA super-green, healthy mix of soya beans, cucumber, avocado and Little Gem lettuce – topped with lean shredded chicken breast
- Open rye sandwich with chicken & avocadoA star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratingsRye bread makes for a substantial base for a lunchtime meal. Top with guacamole, Cajun chicken and lime
- Smashed avocado with crispy chicken, pickled onions & tortillasA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.7 ratingsSpread chunky homemade guacamole on flatbreads, use this southern-style fried chicken recipe to create goujons and serve with sweet onion topping
- Lighter Coronation chicken & avocado sandwichA star rating of 3.7 out of 5.3 ratingsUse up leftover chicken in this fruity, spicy sarnie – swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt in the lower-fat curried sauce
- Sticky citrus chicken with griddled avocado & beet saladA star rating of 4.5 out of 5.4 ratingsSoft, creamy avocado and zesty chicken make the perfect pairing for a family supper – a great recipe for using up avocados that refuse to ripen!
- Chicken & avocado salad with blueberry balsamic dressingA star rating of 3.7 out of 5.6 ratingsA healthy, gluten-free dinner or lunch, perfect for using up leftover roast chicken. Make it veggie by swapping the meat for a handful of pumpkin seeds.
- Spicy avocado wrapsA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.21 ratingsPan-fry vegetarian, chicken-style pieces with lime, chilli and garlic, then pile onto seeded tortilla wraps – cool before assembling if packing for lunch
- Mexican chicken burgerA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.83 ratingsReady in under 20 minutes, this burger with spiced chipotle chicken breast, in toasted brioche with guacamole, makes for a satisfying weeknight treat for one
- Lime & pepper chicken wrapsA star rating of 4.5 out of 5.36 ratingsThese tasty wraps are great for a relaxed meal, and they’re really easy to make
- Cajun chicken & chunky bean salsaA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.22 ratingsAdd some zing to your chicken with this satisfying and nutritious recipe – try it with salmon too
- Chipotle chicken wrapsA star rating of 4.4 out of 5.33 ratingsThese healthy smoky chicken wraps, packed with veg, are great for a night in. To make a veggie version, simply replace the chicken with roasted sweet potato
- Chilli-lime chicken saladA star rating of 5 out of 5.18 ratingsThai-inspired chicken makes a perfect barbecue dish, serve with a feast of dressed green salad and herbs
GRILLED CALIFORNIA AVOCADO CHICKEN
Grilled California Avocado Chicken is tender chicken marinated in an amazing honey garlic balsamic sauce and is grilled to perfection! Topped with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese and avocados, tomatoes, and basil, this chicken is INCREDIBLE!!
The combination of chicken and avocado is one of my favorites! If you love California chicken and don’t have a grill try this delicious California avocado skillet chicken, Chicken Enchiladas with Avocado Cream, or Avocado Chicken Salad.
Grilled California Avocado Chicken
I could not wait to share with you this grilled California avocado chicken! Cue all of the heart eye emojis for the avocado, tomato, and basil combination! My mouth was watering making this avocado salad of sorts to top off the chicken. It provides a fresh and delicious element on top of the moist, flavorful chicken. It also makes for a vibrant, colorful, and delicious presentation. So pretty! In spite of looking too great to eat, this grilled California avocado chicken was quickly devoured by my family!
Usually, when something looks and tastes this good, I know I am going to have to put in lots of ingredients and lots of time to make it. However, this avocado chicken comes together so quickly and easily I was shocked! I am telling you, this was one of the best things that I have ever thrown on the grill. I already can’t wait to make it again. The flavors came together so well and I know that this will become a family favorite at your house as well!
Avocado Chicken Ingredients
First of all, this chicken marinates in a honey garlic balsamic sauce. It marinates to perfection and honestly grills up tender and juicy! The flavor is absolutely unreal in this chicken.
- Balsamic vinegar: This is the acidic ingredient in the marinade that will act as a tenderizer.
- Honey: Part of the marinade that adds flavor and keeps the chicken super juicy.
- Garlic: Cloves, minced
- Olive oil: The oil in your marinade will penetrate the meat, and bring the other flavors of the marinade along with it.
- Italian seasoning: The perfect blend of flavors for most things, but especially this avocado chicken!
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless breasts will grill best.
- Mozzarella: I love how fresh sliced mozzarella pairs with the tomato and basil, but any good melting cheese will work to smother the chicken.
- Avocados: Diced to bite size perfection.
- Roma tomatoes: Any tomato will work, just be sure to cut into bite sized pieces.
- Basil: Fresh chopped basil is perfect on this chicken.
- Optional: Balsamic vinegar for drizzling
How to Grill California Chicken
And just when you think that it can’t get any better, top it with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese when it comes off of the grill. It gets so melty and ooey-gooey. Then, JUST when you think it can’t possibly get any better with the ooey-gooey cheese on top comes the avocado, tomato, and basil. Mind blown!
- Marinate chicken: In a medium sized bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, olive oil, italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and coat. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Mix avocado topping: Meanwhile, in a small bowl add the avocado, tomato, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Grill: Heat the grill to medium high heat. Grill the chicken on each side about 6 minutes or until cooked throughout and no longer pink.
- Dress chicken and serve: Top with mozzarella cheese and avocado, tomato basil mixture. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve immediately.
Grilling the Perfect Grilled California Avocado Chicken
Chicken can be tricky to grill without drying it out, but I’ve got all the tips to keep it moist and tender.
- Make sure your grill is clean before you begin and rub some oil on the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Thinly sliced chicken breasts won’t take as long to reach temperature. If your chicken breasts are really thick, pound them to thin them out. It will reduce cooking time and help it to cook more evenly.
- Basic rule is 3-5 minutes per side on medium to high heat, but will vary depending on the thickness of your meat.
- You are aiming for a medium, indirect heat while grilling so that the outside of the chicken does not burn while you get the inside up to temperature.
- Keep the grill closed while cooking. This will keep the heat in and allow the chicken to cook quicker and more evenly.
- The chicken is done the temperature reaches 165 degrees or the juices run clear.
- The chicken will continue to cook slightly even after removed from the grill.
Variations for Grilled Chicken
It may not be possible to improve on this amazing recipe, but we tried.
- Marinate: Marinate in a combination of olive oil, lime juice, cilantro and garlic. (The longer it marinates the more flavor you will get, so if you have more time, let it sit in the juices for up to 24 hours.)
- Add more flavor! If you want even more spice and flavor: Add garlic seasoning on the chicken and use pepper jack cheese instead of mozzarella.
- Toppings: To change it up, you could even add black olives or bacon on top. Because let’s be honest. Everything is better with bacon!
- What to serve with it? Serve with rice, a fresh salad, or seasoned fingerling potatoes.
- Bake instead of grilling: Cover the chicken with foil and cook chicken only at 350 for approximately 45 minutes depending on thickness of the chicken. Then, uncover and add cheese and basil and place back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Finally, top with the fresh avocado mixture immediately before serving.