Description
This Green Salsa Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts marinated in flavorful salsa verde and olive oil, then cooked to perfection on the stovetop or grill. The marinade infuses the chicken with bright, tangy, and mildly spicy notes, making it perfect for a variety of dishes like tacos, salads, burritos, or served alongside rice and zoodles.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness
Marinade
- 1/2 cup Homemade Salsa Verde or store bought
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: Whisk together 1/2 cup salsa verde and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a freezer bag or shallow dish. Add the chicken breasts and toss evenly to coat. Seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably up to overnight for best flavor.
- Bring chicken to room temperature: Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This ensures even cooking.
- Cook on stovetop: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes or until nicely browned on one side. Flip the chicken, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 7 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Brush with salsa verde glaze: Brush the cooked chicken with additional salsa verde to add extra flavor and moisture before serving.
- Alternative grilling method: Preheat and grease the grill to medium heat, about 375-450°F. Grill chicken breasts undisturbed for 6 minutes per side or until fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F). Rest for 5 minutes, then brush with salsa verde glaze before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy the green salsa chicken with rice, zucchini noodles, tacos, salads, enchiladas, burritos, or burrito bowls according to your preference.
Notes
- Using chicken fillets ensures better marinade coverage and flavor infusion.
- You can create chicken fillets by slicing large chicken breasts horizontally like a hamburger bun.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for juicier results.
- For store-bought salsa verde, choose medium heat to maintain balanced flavor after marinating.
- Marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours for more tender and flavorful chicken; in a pinch, marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature and brush more salsa verde after cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
