Description
This flavorful Chicken with Mango Salsa recipe features juicy baked chicken breasts seasoned with a blend of spices, perfectly complemented by a fresh and zesty mango salsa. It’s a vibrant, healthy dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, with options for baking, grilling, or air frying the chicken to suit your preference.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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 pepper (adjust as desired)
- ½ teaspoon oregano
For the Mango Salsa
- 2 mangoes, diced (about 3 cups diced mango)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- â…“ cup cilantro, loosely packed and chopped
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch to ensure they cook evenly.
- Season the chicken: Brush both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil. Sprinkle sea salt as desired. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cracked pepper, and oregano. Evenly sprinkle this seasoning mix on both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 17-22 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Thicker chicken breasts may require additional cooking time. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Prepare the mango salsa: While the chicken bakes, combine diced mangoes, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and sea salt in a mixing bowl. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Chill the salsa until the chicken is ready.
- Serve: Serve each chicken breast topped with a generous spoonful of the fresh mango salsa.
- Alternative grilling method: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Grill the chicken breasts for 8-10 minutes per side, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Alternative air frying method: Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Lightly oil the air fryer basket, place chicken breasts inside, and cook for 8-10 minutes per side until fully cooked.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Adjust seasoning quantities according to taste.
- Use ripe but firm mangoes for the best salsa texture.
- You can seed the jalapeño to reduce heat or leave seeds in for extra spice.
- Resting the chicken after baking helps retain juices.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid under- or overcooking.
