Description
A vibrant and flavorful recipe featuring tender baked chicken breasts paired with a fresh, zesty mango salsa. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal that balances savory spices with sweet and tangy tropical flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3-4 chicken breasts (1 ½ – 2 lb.)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½-1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper (adjust as desired)
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Mango Salsa
- 2 mangoes, diced (about 3 cups diced mango)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, small diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ⅓ cup cilantro, loosely packed and chopped
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pound the chicken breasts evenly to approximately 1 inch thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Season the chicken: Brush olive oil on both sides of each chicken breast. Sprinkle sea salt as desired. In a small bowl, whisk garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, and oregano together, then evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix on both sides of the chicken.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 17-22 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For thicker chicken breasts, cooking time may be longer, so adjust accordingly.
- Prepare the mango salsa: While the chicken is baking, combine diced mangoes, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and salt in a bowl. Toss well to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Rest and serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve each breast topped with a generous spoonful of the fresh mango salsa.
- Alternative grilling method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill chicken breasts about 8-10 minutes per side, ensuring an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
- Alternative air frying method: Preheat air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Lightly oil the basket to prevent sticking. Cook chicken breasts about 8-10 minutes per side until fully cooked through.
Notes
- For even cooking, pounding the chicken breasts to uniform thickness is essential.
- Internal temperature of chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- The salsa can be made ahead and kept chilled to enhance flavors.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity based on your heat preference.
- If chicken breasts are thicker than 1 inch, increase baking or grilling time accordingly.
- Olive oil can be substituted with avocado oil for a higher smoke point if desired.