Description
This vibrant and flavorful Chicken with Mango Salsa recipe features tender baked chicken breasts seasoned with a blend of spices and topped with a fresh, zesty mango salsa. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a summer gathering, the sweet and spicy salsa complements the savory chicken beautifully, delivering a colorful and nutritious meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3-4 chicken breasts (1 ½ – 2 lb.)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½-1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cracked pepper (adjust as desired)
- ½ tsp oregano
Mango Salsa
- 2 mangoes, diced (about 3 cups diced mango)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ⅓ cup cilantro, loosely packed and chopped
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a 9×13 baking dish for the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken: Place chicken breasts in the baking dish and pound them to an even thickness of about 1 inch to ensure uniform cooking.
- Season the chicken: Brush olive oil on both sides of each chicken breast, then salt to taste. Whisk together garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cracked pepper, and oregano, and evenly sprinkle this seasoning blend 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). Thicker breasts may require additional time, so monitor carefully.
- Make the mango salsa: While the chicken bakes, combine diced mango, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, and sea salt in a bowl. Toss gently and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Rest the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices and improve tenderness.
- Serve: Plate the chicken and top with a generous spoonful of the fresh mango salsa for a delicious, refreshing finish.
- Optional grilling method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, oil the grates, and cook chicken for 8-10 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Optional air frying method: Preheat air fryer to 360°F, oil the basket, and cook chicken for 8-10 minutes per side until cooked through.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Adjust seasoning quantities based on your taste preference.
- For a spicier salsa, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add extra jalapeño.
- Use ripe, sweet mangoes for the best flavor in the salsa.
- Internal temperature of chicken should always reach 165°F for safe consumption.
- You can prepare salsa in advance; it keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- If baking thicker chicken breasts, increase cook time accordingly and monitor internal temperature closely.
- Leftover chicken and salsa can be served as a sandwich or in wraps for another meal.
