Chicken with Mango Salsa (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Chicken
01 -
3-4 chicken breasts (1½-2 pounds total)
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
½-1 teaspoon sea salt, adjusted to taste
04 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 -
1 teaspoon chili powder
06 -
½ teaspoon ground cumin
07 -
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
08 -
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, adjusted to taste
09 -
½ teaspoon dried oregano
→ For the Mango Salsa
10 -
2 ripe mangoes, diced (about 3 cups)
11 -
1 red bell pepper, diced
12 -
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
13 -
2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
14 -
Juice of 1 lime
15 -
1 teaspoon lime zest
16 -
⅓ cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed and chopped
17 -
¼ teaspoon sea salt
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While oven is heating, place the chicken breasts in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pound them to an even thickness of about 1 inch using a meat mallet. This ensures they'll cook evenly throughout.
02 -
Brush olive oil on both sides of each chicken breast. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and oregano. Evenly distribute this seasoning mixture over both sides of the oiled chicken breasts.
03 -
Place the seasoned chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 17-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer. If your chicken breasts are thicker than 1 inch, they may require additional cooking time.
04 -
While the chicken is baking, prepare the salsa. In a medium bowl, combine the diced mango, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and sea salt. Toss gently to combine all ingredients. Add a bit of freshly cracked black pepper if desired. Refrigerate the salsa until the chicken is ready.
05 -
When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender chicken. Serve each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of the chilled mango salsa on top.
# Notes:
01 -
For grilled chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, oil the grates, and cook chicken about 8-10 minutes per side until it reaches 165°F internal temperature.
02 -
For air fryer chicken: Preheat air fryer to 360°F, oil the basket, and cook about 8-10 minutes per side until properly cooked through.
03 -
This dish is perfect for meal prep - the chicken and salsa keep well in separate containers for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
04 -
Serve over rice, in tacos, on a salad, or with your favorite grain for a complete meal.