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Fresh Zesty Cherry Salsa with Grilled Chicken

fresh zesty cherry salsa with grilled chicken - featured image

A quick and delicious recipe featuring smoky grilled chicken breasts topped with a bright, sweet, and tangy cherry salsa that brings a fresh twist to your dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for marinade and grilling)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved (about 225 g)
  • ½ small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 small handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken marinade: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chicken breasts. Let rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Make the cherry salsa: Pit and halve the cherries. In a mixing bowl, combine cherries, finely diced red onion, chopped jalapeño, and cilantro. Add lime juice and honey. Stir gently and season with salt to taste. Let it sit while you grill the chicken.
  3. Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot (around 400°F / 200°C).
  4. Grill the chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill. Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid pressing down on the chicken.
  5. Rest the chicken: Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve: Slice the chicken and spoon generous amounts of the fresh zesty cherry salsa over the top.

Notes

If using frozen cherries, thaw and drain excess juice before using to avoid soggy salsa. Adjust jalapeño quantity to control heat level. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption. Marinate chicken up to 2 hours for deeper flavor. Salsa tastes better after sitting for a couple of hours in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry salsa, grilled chicken, fresh salsa, summer recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, fruit salsa