Honey Lime Chicken Avocado (Printable)
Tender spiced chicken with honey-lime glaze served over fresh avocado salad
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 2 large chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), boneless, skinless
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ For the Honey Lime Marinade
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - Zest and juice of 2 limes
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ For the Salad
11 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1/2 red onion, finely diced
14 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
→ To Serve
16 - Lime wedges
17 - Extra chopped cilantro (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together honey, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl until well combined.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or ziplock bag. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, turning to coat evenly. Reserve remaining marinade for later. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes.
03 - Mix cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle spice blend evenly over both sides of the marinated chicken.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
05 - Combine diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using) in a large salad bowl while chicken rests.
06 - Add sliced chicken to the salad. Drizzle with reserved marinade and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately with lime wedges and extra cilantro if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The honey lime dressing hits every bright, zesty note you crave on warm days
- Its the kind of meal that looks restaurant fancy but comes together in thirty minutes
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing is the difference between juicy and dry meat
- Reserving half the marinade for the final dressing is what ties everything together
03 -
- Grilling the chicken adds a smoky depth that makes this feel extra special
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge