Description
Salsa Verde Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish combining fresh tomatillos, tender chicken breasts, and vibrant spices to create a bright, zesty meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile and healthy recipe offers fresh herbal notes, moderate heat, and a satisfying balance of tang and spice that pairs beautifully with rice, tortillas, or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salsa Verde
- 6–8 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 small white or yellow onion, quartered
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salsa Verde: Husk and rinse the tomatillos thoroughly to remove their sticky coating. Combine tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, garlic, and salt in a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth but still slightly chunky to maintain a fresh, rustic texture.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Add the Salsa Verde: Pour the prepared salsa verde over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5-7 minutes to meld flavors and allow the chicken to absorb the tangy sauce.
- Finish with Cilantro and Lime: Just before serving, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro and squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken to enhance brightness and freshness.
Notes
- Use fresh tomatillos for the best texture and bright flavor instead of canned salsa verde.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño or serrano pepper to suit your preferred spice level.
- Let the cooked chicken rest a few minutes before serving to lock in moisture.
- Blend salsa verde until smooth but retain some texture for a fresh and rustic feel.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with salsa
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Salsa Verde Chicken, Mexican chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, healthy chicken, tomatillo sauce, easy weeknight meal, gluten free chicken
