Grilled Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Chicken (Print Version)

Tender grilled chicken breasts infused with tangy salsa verde and crowned with melted pepper Jack for a quick, zesty Tex-Mex meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1 ½ pounds thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 12 ounces salsa verde
03 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Topping & Garnish

08 - 4 slices pepper Jack cheese
09 - Fresh cilantro, finely minced
10 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together the salsa verde, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
03 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard any leftover marinade.
05 - Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - In the last minute of grilling, top each breast with a slice of pepper Jack cheese. Close the grill lid to melt the cheese completely.
07 - Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • The salsa verde does double duty as marinade and built-in flavor booster
  • Pepper Jack adds just enough creaminess to balance the bright tang
  • Thin chicken breasts mean dinner is ready in under fifteen minutes
02 -
  • Don't marinate longer than 2 hours or the lime juice will break down the texture too much
  • Thin chicken breasts can go from perfect to dry in seconds, so use that instant-read thermometer
  • Closing the grill lid is crucial for melting the cheese without overcooking the meat
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before grilling if you want better char marks, though the marinade naturally prevents sticking
  • Mild salsa verde keeps it family-friendly while still packing plenty of flavor
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