Grilled Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Chicken (Printable Version)

Marinated chicken breasts grilled to perfection with zesty salsa verde and melted pepper Jack cheese for a quick, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 - Whisk together salsa verde, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
03 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Take chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Discard remaining marinade.
05 - Place chicken on preheated grill. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Place a slice of pepper Jack cheese on each chicken breast during the final minute. Close grill lid to melt cheese completely.
07 - Transfer chicken to a serving plate and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of tangy salsa verde and creamy pepper Jack creates this incredible flavor contrast that hits every part of your palate
  • Marinating the chicken beforehand makes it practically impossible to overcook or dry out
  • Everything comes together in about 45 minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
02 -
  • Dumping the used marinade is crucial since it's been in contact with raw chicken
  • Thin chicken breasts can go from perfect to overcooked in literal minutes, so watch closely
  • Closing the grill lid to melt the cheese is the step that transforms this from good to incredible
03 -
  • Pound thicker chicken breasts to even thickness before marinating for more consistent cooking
  • Make extra marinade and brush it on during the last minute of grilling for an extra flavor boost
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