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+ servings

Jalapeno Chicken

A spicy and flavorful chicken dish marinated in a zesty jalapeno sauce, grilled to perfection and served with a refreshing lime crema.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin for best flavor
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice about 1 lime
  • 2 jalapenos fresh jalapenos seeded and finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
For the Lime Crema
  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice about 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest for extra flavor
  • ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
For Serving
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • 1 lime lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, chopped jalapenos, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well blended. This marinade will infuse the chicken with flavor and tenderize it.
  2. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more flavor.
Prepare the Lime Crema
  1. In a separate bowl, mix together sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt. Stir until smooth. This crema will add a creamy, tangy contrast to the spicy chicken.
  2. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Grill the Chicken
  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Make sure it is hot enough to sear the chicken, which helps to lock in juices.
  2. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Place the chicken on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes on one side without moving it, to achieve nice grill marks.
  3. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes on the other side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
  4. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist.
Serve
  1. Slice the grilled chicken and arrange it on a serving platter. Drizzle with lime crema and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
  2. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 30gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For a milder version, remove the seeds from the jalapenos and use less. Adjust the amount of lime crema to suit your taste preference.

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