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Prepare for a burst of taste with this Cilantro Lime Hen, grilled to perfection and paired with a vibrant strawberry salsa. It’s the final word summer season meal—gentle, contemporary, and really easy to make, you’ll have it on the desk very quickly.
I like this dish for therefore many causes. It’s so contemporary and shiny, with tender marinated hen and a salsa that can make you are feeling as for those who’re on a sunny patio, regardless of the season. The hen is marinated in a zesty cilantro lime sauce, then grilled to juicy perfection, whereas the candy and spicy strawberry salsa provides a scrumptious twist. It’s prepared in simply 45 minutes, making it my go-to for these busy nights once I nonetheless need one thing that tastes superb.
Earlier than You Begin
- Marinate for Taste: In case you have the time, let the hen marinate for a bit longer—up to a couple hours. The longer it sits, the extra these zesty cilantro and lime flavors will soak into the hen, making it much more flavorful.
- Pound the Hen Evenly: Pounding the hen to a fair thickness helps it cook dinner extra evenly on the grill. It additionally ensures that it stays juicy and tender, so don’t skip this step!
- Alter the Warmth within the Salsa: Should you’re not a fan of an excessive amount of warmth, be happy to take away the seeds from the jalapeño or use much less of it. Then again, for those who love a kick, you’ll be able to add additional jalapeño and even some crushed pink pepper flakes.
- Grill on Medium-Excessive: Ensure that your grill is preheated to medium-high warmth earlier than including the hen. This helps get these lovely grill marks and locks within the juices, providing you with completely cooked hen each time.
- Serve Instantly: This dish is finest loved contemporary off the grill, whereas the hen is sizzling and the salsa is good and funky.
Elements You’ll Want
- Hen Breasts: I used boneless and skinless breast for this recipe, however hen thighs will work simply as properly.
- Olive Oil: Helps the marinade stick with the hen and retains it juicy on the grill. Any impartial oil like vegetable or canola works too.
- Honey: Provides a contact of sweetness to stability out the tangy lime. Should you’re out of honey, you should utilize maple syrup or perhaps a little bit of brown sugar.
- Cilantro: Offers the hen that contemporary, herby taste. Should you’re not a fan of cilantro, parsley could possibly be a very good substitute.
- Lime Zest and Juice: I like to recommend solely utilizing contemporary lime juice, it truly is price the additional effort. Including zest to the marinade will actually focus that lime taste.
- Salt and Pepper: Alter to your style.
- Membership Soda (Non-compulsory): This helps tenderize the hen, making it much more juicy and tender. Should you don’t have it, no worries—it’s completely optionally available.
- Fruits and Veggies: Tomato, strawberry, jalapeno pepper (seeds eliminated), and inexperienced onion all chopped are the bottom of this salsa.
- Cilantro: Yep, it’s within the salsa too! It ties the flavors collectively and provides freshness.
- Lime Juice: I like numerous lime juice in my salsas, contemporary solely!
- Salt and Pepper: Season the salsa to your style—simply sufficient to deliver out the flavors with out overpowering the freshness.
In a blender, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, ¼ cup of chopped cilantro, 1 teaspoon of lime zest, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of pepper, and ¼ cup of membership soda (for those who’re utilizing it). Mix for about 30 seconds till it’s good and easy.
Tip: Should you don’t have a blender, you’ll be able to simply whisk the whole lot collectively in a bowl—simply be certain that the honey is properly blended in.
Place the 1½ kilos of boneless, skinless hen breasts between two items of plastic wrap. Utilizing a meat mallet, gently pound the hen till it’s about ½ inch thick. This helps the hen cook dinner evenly and retains it tender on the grill.
Tip: Should you don’t have a meat mallet, the underside of a heavy pan or perhaps a rolling pin works too.
Place the hen in a big bowl or a ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it. Toss to coat the hen evenly, then let it marinate for about 20 minutes when you warmth up the grill and make the salsa.
Tip: In case you have additional time, letting the hen marinate for just a few hours and even in a single day will make it much more flavorful.
In a bowl, toss collectively 1 cup of chopped tomatoes, 1 cup of chopped strawberries, 1 chopped jalapeño pepper, 5 chopped inexperienced onions, ¼ cup of chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Give it a very good combine after which cowl it and pop it within the fridge till you’re able to serve.
Tip: Should you like your salsa on the milder aspect, take away the seeds from the jalapeño earlier than chopping, or simply use half of it.
Warmth your grill to medium-high. As soon as it’s sizzling, place the marinated hen breasts on the grill. Cook dinner for about 3 to 4 minutes per aspect, or till the hen is absolutely cooked by way of and has good grill marks.
Tip: Resist the urge to maneuver the hen round an excessive amount of whereas it’s cooking—leaving it in place provides you with these excellent grill marks and maintain the hen juicy.
How To Serve
Spoon the strawberry salsa over the grilled hen and serve instantly. This dish is nice by itself, however it’s additionally scrumptious with a aspect of rice or a contemporary inexperienced salad. Listed here are some concepts:
Regularly Requested Questions
How do I retailer leftovers?
Retailer any leftover hen and salsa individually in hermetic containers within the fridge. The hen will keep contemporary for as much as 3 days, whereas the salsa is finest eaten inside 1-2 days.
Can I freeze the hen?
Sure, you’ll be able to freeze the grilled hen. Let it cool utterly, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It is going to maintain properly within the freezer for as much as 2 months. Thaw it within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
What’s one of the best ways to reheat the hen?
Reheat the hen on the stovetop over medium warmth, within the oven at 350°F, or within the microwave. Should you’re reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of water or hen broth to maintain it from drying out.
Can I make the salsa forward of time?
You can also make the salsa just a few hours forward of time and retailer it within the fridge. Nonetheless, as a result of strawberries launch juice over time, it’s finest to serve the salsa the identical day you make it for the freshest taste and texture.
Can I bake the hen as a substitute of grilling it?
Sure, you’ll be able to bake the hen for those who favor! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the marinated hen breasts on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or till the hen is cooked by way of and reaches an inside temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Extra Scrumptious Hen Recipes
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Cilantro Lime Hen with Strawberry Salsa
Cilantro Lime Hen with Strawberry Salsa – a lightweight and refreshing strawberry and jalapeno salsa with cilantro lime marinated grilled hen, excellent for summer season! Prepared in solely 45 minutes!!
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Elements
For Cilantro Lime Hen
Earlier than You Start! Should you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us understand how you favored this recipe! This helps our enterprise thrive & proceed offering free recipes.
Directions
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In a blender add the cilantro lime hen components; olive oil, honey, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, salt and pepper. Additionally add membership soda if utilizing it. Mix for about 30 seconds till easy.
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Place every hen breast between plastic wrap and gently pound utilizing a meat mallet till hen is about ½ inch in thickness.
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Place hen in a big bowl and pour cilantro lime marinade over hen. Marinate for about 20 minutes, whereas grill heats up and also you make the strawberry salsa.
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To make strawberry salsa, toss all of the salsa components collectively in a bowl and canopy and refrigerate till hen is able to serve.
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Grill the hen on either side for about 3 to 4 minutes per aspect, or till the hen is absolutely cooked by way of and has good grill marks.
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To serve spoon salsa over grilled hen and serve by itself or your favourite sides.
Notes
- Marinate the hen for at the least 20 minutes, however for the very best taste, let it sit for just a few hours and even in a single day.
- Should you don’t have a grill, you’ll be able to bake the hen at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or till absolutely cooked.
- For a milder salsa, take away the seeds from the jalapeño or use much less of it.
- Leftover hen may be saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days or frozen for as much as 2 months.
- The strawberry salsa is finest loved contemporary, however it may be saved within the fridge for as much as 2 days.
Diet Info
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 301kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 12g (4%)Protein: 37g (74%)Fats: 12g (18%)Saturated Fats: 2g (13%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 6gTrans Fats: 0.02gLdl cholesterol: 109mg (36%)Sodium: 498mg (22%)Potassium: 861mg (25%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 698IU (14%)Vitamin C: 40mg (48%)Calcium: 36mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Discover: Diet is auto-calculated to your comfort. The place related, we suggest utilizing your individual vitamin calculations.
