Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad with Creamy Mango Avocado Salsa: Your New Summer Favorite
As the days lengthen and the sun bathes us in its warm embrace, our palates naturally gravitate towards lighter, more vibrant meals. This Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad with a Mango and Avocado Salsa is more than just a dish; it’s a celebration of summer flavors, designed to keep that sunshine feeling going just a bit longer. Bursting with fresh ingredients and a harmony of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, this salad promises an unforgettable culinary experience.
Imagine tender, perfectly grilled chicken, infused with a zesty cilantro-lime marinade that miraculously doubles as a vibrant dressing. Paired with crisp romaine lettuce and char-grilled red peppers, this salad is already a winner. But what truly elevates it to an extraordinary level is the addition of a creamy, sweet, and utterly addictive mango avocado salsa. It’s a combination that might initially raise an eyebrow, but one bite will turn any skeptic into a believer.
Why This Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad Will Become Your Go-To
While I initially hesitated to combine mango with chicken in a savory salad, the vision of creamy avocado meeting the juicy sweetness of mango was too compelling to ignore. And oh, what a revelation it was! The mango salsa doesn’t just complement the chicken; it transforms the entire dish, making it incredibly addicting. We found ourselves unable to stop eating it, spooning up every last drop of the vibrant salsa and juicy chicken.
This recipe is a testament to bold flavor pairings and simple execution. It’s perfect for a light yet satisfying lunch, a healthy weeknight dinner, or a dazzling centerpiece for your next summer gathering. The fresh, bright flavors make it an ideal choice for meal prep, ensuring you have delicious, healthy food on hand throughout the week.
The Dual-Purpose Marinade: Flavor and Convenience in One
One of the brilliant aspects of this recipe is its ingenious marinade, which serves a double duty as both a succulent chicken marinade and a fresh, tangy dressing for the finished salad. This not only streamlines the preparation process but also ensures a cohesive flavor profile throughout the dish. Creating this flavor-packed marinade is the first step towards a truly exceptional salad.
My kitchen often becomes a whirlwind of creative chaos when I’m developing new recipes. I recall a particular moment while perfecting this salad, with ingredients flying and Beyoncé playing loudly in the background. My husband, Paul, watched from a safe distance, a mix of skepticism and amusement on his face. “Mango and Avocado? Together? With Chicken? Are you sure?” he asked, observing my dance-infused culinary experiments.
“Yes, Paul. Just watch,” I confidently replied. And he did. And he was just as amazed as I was by the outcome.
Crafting the Marinade/Dressing:
To begin, simply whisk together all the marinade ingredients: olive oil, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, crushed garlic, honey, brown sugar, ground cumin, and salt. This combination creates a perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and earthy warmth. Divide this mixture: use one-third to marinate your chicken thighs in a shallow dish for at least 15 minutes (or for maximum flavor, let it sit for one to two hours in the refrigerator). The remaining two-thirds should be reserved in the fridge to be drizzled over your finished salad as a fresh, vibrant dressing.
Perfecting the Grilled Chicken
Once your chicken has soaked up all that beautiful flavor, it’s time to cook it to juicy perfection. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat with a touch of oil. Grill the chicken fillets until they are golden brown, slightly charred, and cooked through. The honey and brown sugar in the marinade will naturally create a beautiful caramelized char on the chicken, adding another layer of irresistible flavor and texture. Cooking in batches helps prevent overcrowding the pan, ensuring a nice sear rather than steaming the chicken. After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing; this locks in all the juices, guaranteeing tender, succulent pieces every time.
Next up are the bell peppers. Wipe your pan clean, add another drizzle of oil, and char-grill or pan-fry the sliced red peppers until they are tender-crisp and slightly smoky. Their sweetness and vibrant color add depth and visual appeal to the salad.
The Star of the Show: Mango Avocado Salsa
While the chicken is resting and the peppers are cooking, it’s the perfect time to prepare the sensational mango avocado salsa. This isn’t just any salsa; it’s a game-changer. I know, I know—everyone claims their recipe is the best. But seriously, this one is different. The moment you combine the sweet, juicy mango with the creamy, rich avocado, and a hint of fresh green onion, you’ll understand. A couple of tablespoons of the reserved cilantro-lime dressing ties all these flavors together, creating a truly harmonious and refreshing accompaniment.
Be warned: you might find it hard not to eat this salsa straight from the bowl before it even makes it to the salad. It’s that good!
Assembling Your Masterpiece
With all your components ready, it’s time to bring this incredible salad to life. Arrange a bed of crisp romaine lettuce leaves on your serving platter or individual plates. Scatter the perfectly grilled red pepper slices over the lettuce. Top generously with spoonfuls of the irresistible mango avocado salsa. Finally, slice your rested cilantro-lime chicken into strips and arrange them over the salad.
Drizzle the entire masterpiece with the remaining reserved cilantro-lime dressing, allowing its zesty goodness to permeate every bite. For an extra touch of freshness and a little kick, garnish with additional fresh coriander leaves and a sprinkle of red chili flakes. Prepare yourself for a mind-blowing experience—you’ve been warned!
This salad is substantial enough to be a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to expand the feast, it pairs beautifully with a side of homemade Pad Thai, adding an interesting textural and flavor contrast that your taste buds will definitely thank you for.
Tips for Success
- Marinate for Flavor: While 15 minutes is good, marinating the chicken for 1-2 hours truly allows the flavors to meld, resulting in more tender and delicious chicken.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook chicken in batches if necessary to ensure it sears nicely and develops that desirable char, rather than steaming.
- Rest the Chicken: Always allow cooked chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This keeps the meat juicy and tender.
- Choose Ripe Ingredients: For the best salsa, use a ripe but firm mango and a perfectly ripe avocado. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure.
- Fresh Lime Juice is Key: Bottled lime juice simply doesn’t compare to the bright, zesty flavor of freshly squeezed limes.
Variations to Explore
- Spice It Up: Add a finely diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade or salsa for an extra kick.
- Add More Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, or cucumber can be great additions to the salad base.
- Different Protein: While chicken is fantastic, this marinade and salsa would also work wonderfully with grilled shrimp or firm white fish. For a vegetarian option, grilled halloumi or black beans could be excellent.
- Herb Swaps: If cilantro isn’t your favorite, a mix of mint and parsley can offer a different, yet equally fresh, flavor profile.
Storage Instructions
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, especially the mango avocado salsa, which can brown over time. However, if you have leftovers:
- Chicken: Store cooked chicken strips separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Salsa: The mango avocado salsa is best made fresh. If you must store it, press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the salsa to minimize air exposure and refrigerate for no more than a day. The avocado will still likely brown slightly.
- Salad Greens: Keep the lettuce separate from other wet ingredients to prevent wilting. Store in a crisper drawer.
When assembling for leftovers, combine all ingredients just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.
FOR MORE SUCCULENT SALAD IDEAS:
Southwestern Chicken Salad With Low Fat Creamy Dressing
Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with Creamy Cajun Dressing
Chickpea Tomato Salad
Chicken Halloumi and Avocado Salad with Lime Dressing
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Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad + Mango Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
Marinade/Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro coriander
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground Cumin
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
Salad:
- 4 chicken thigh fillets skin removed, no bone
- 5 cups Romaine Cos lettuce leaves, washed and dried
- 1 red pepper capsicum, deseeded and sliced
Mango Salsa:
- 1 large mango diced
- 1 avocado diced
- 1 green onion shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
- extra coriander leaves to garnish
- red chili flakes to garnish
Instructions
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Whisk marinade ingredients together to combine. Pour a third of the marinade into a shallow dish to marinade the chicken fillets for at least 15 minutes (ideally one to two hours if you have the time). Refrigerate the reserved untouched marinade to use as a dressing.
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Heat about one teaspoon of oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and grill chicken fillets on each side until golden, crispy and cooked through. (Grill in batches of two to prevent excess water being released.) Once chicken is cooked, set aside and allow to rest.
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Wipe pan over with paper towel; drizzle with another teaspoon of oil and grill or fry peppers and until cooked to your liking.
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While peppers are cooking, prepare the mango salsa. Combine the mango, avocado and green onion in a bowl. Add in two tablespoons of the reserved dressing to the salsa. Set aside.
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Slice chicken into strips and prepare salad with leaves, sliced peppers and mango salsa. Top with the chicken strips. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve with (optional) extra coriander leaves and red chill flakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Conclusion
This Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad with Mango Avocado Salsa is truly a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. It’s a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly spectacular and memorable. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer meal or a healthy dish that’s big on taste, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Dive in and savor the taste of summer!