Experience a delightful twist on a classic dish with grilled chicken paired with a vibrant strawberry salsa. This recipe combines the savory flavors of perfectly grilled chicken breasts with the sweet and spicy notes of strawberries, jalapeno, and cilantro. It's a refreshing and colorful meal that's perfect for a summer barbecue or a light dinner any time of the year. The lime juice adds a zesty kick, making each bite a burst of flavor.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in your pantry or local supermarket, you might need to pay special attention to the jalapeno and cilantro. These ingredients add a unique flavor profile to the dish. If you're not familiar with jalapeno, it's a type of chili pepper that provides a mild to moderate heat. Cilantro is an herb known for its fresh, citrusy flavor, which complements the sweetness of the strawberries perfectly.
Ingredients For Grilled Chicken With Strawberry Salsa
Chicken breasts: The main protein of the dish, providing a lean and tender base for the meal.
Strawberries: Fresh and juicy, these add a sweet and tangy flavor to the salsa.
Jalapeno: Adds a mild heat and a hint of spice to the salsa.
Red onion: Offers a sharp and slightly sweet flavor, balancing the salsa.
Cilantro: Provides a fresh, citrusy note that enhances the overall taste.
Lime juice: Adds a zesty and tangy element, brightening the flavors.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your chicken breasts are juicy and flavorful, consider marinating them for at least 30 minutes before grilling. A simple marinade of olive oil, lime juice, and garlic can enhance the taste. Additionally, when preparing the strawberry salsa, allow it to sit for a few minutes after mixing. This resting time helps the flavors meld together, creating a more cohesive and vibrant topping for your grilled chicken.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a suitable alternative for grilling.
Diced strawberries - Substitute with diced mango: Mango provides a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that complements the salsa well, similar to strawberries.
Seeded and minced jalapeno - Substitute with seeded and minced serrano pepper: Serrano peppers offer a similar level of heat and flavor, making them a good replacement for jalapenos.
Diced red onion - Substitute with diced shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor than red onions but still add a nice depth to the salsa.
Chopped cilantro - Substitute with chopped parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can replace cilantro for those who prefer a different herb.
Freshly squeezed lime juice - Substitute with freshly squeezed lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative to lime juice.
Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in place of regular salt, providing a slightly different mineral taste.
Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the peppery taste without altering the dish's appearance.
Alternative Recipes to Try
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the grilled chicken on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. For the strawberry salsa, let it come to room temperature separately before serving.
Use a skillet over medium heat for a quick reheat. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of chicken broth to the pan to keep the chicken moist. Heat each side for about 3-4 minutes. Serve with the salsa at room temperature.
For a microwave option, place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals until warm. The strawberry salsa should be added fresh from the fridge or at room temperature.
If you have an air fryer, set it to 350°F (175°C) and reheat the chicken for about 5-6 minutes. This method helps maintain the grilled texture. Pair it with the salsa served fresh.
For a sous vide approach, seal the chicken in a vacuum bag and immerse it in a water bath set to 140°F (60°C) for about 20 minutes. This gently warms the chicken without overcooking. Serve with the strawberry salsa at room temperature.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the chicken breasts, providing a smoky flavor and grill marks.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the ingredients for the strawberry salsa, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
Knife: Essential for dicing strawberries, mincing jalapeno, and chopping cilantro.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely preparing ingredients like strawberries, jalapeno, and red onion.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts on the grill without piercing them, which helps retain juices.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the diced strawberries and other ingredients accurately.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring smaller quantities like lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Lime squeezer: Helps extract fresh lime juice efficiently for the salsa.
Plate: Used to let the grilled chicken rest before serving, allowing juices to redistribute.
How to Save Time on Preparation
Prep ingredients in advance: Dice strawberries, mince jalapeno, and chop cilantro ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use a meat thermometer: Ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly without guessing by using a thermometer.
Make salsa ahead: Prepare the strawberry salsa a few hours before to let flavors meld.
Batch grilling: Grill extra chicken breasts for future meals, saving time later.
Quick marinade: Marinate chicken in lime juice and spices for 15 minutes for a flavor boost without long waits.
Grilled Chicken with Strawberry Salsa
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Strawberries diced
- 1 piece Jalapeno seeded and minced
- 0.25 cup Red Onion diced
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Salt divided
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper divided
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- 2. Season the chicken breasts with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper.
- 3. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
- 4. While the chicken is grilling, combine the strawberries, jalapeno, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and the remaining salt and pepper in a mixing bowl to make the salsa.
- 5. Once the chicken is done, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- 6. Serve the grilled chicken with a generous scoop of strawberry salsa on top.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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