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Chicken Lunch 30 Minutes or Less Mexican Strawberries
4.8 from 27 votes

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •10/13/22 50 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa – a light and refreshing strawberry and jalapeno salsa with cilantro lime marinated grilled chicken, perfect for summer! Ready in only 25 minutes!!

finished Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa on a white plate

I love this dish for so many reasons. It’s so fresh and bright, with tender marinated chicken and a salsa that will make you feel as if you’re on a sunny patio, no matter the season. I made it the other night after a lovely evening walking around in the sun and it was the perfect finisher to a beautiful day.

I personally think that this dish is best served alongside one of my Mojitos.  Or two. Or three. So let’s toss everything together and make some magic happen.

Ingredients In Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken With Strawberry Salsa

Chicken
  • Chicken – I used boneless and skinless breast for this recipe, but chicken thighs will work just as well.
  • Olive oil – This will be used in our tenderizing marinade.
  • Honey – A bit of honey will lend this dish some sweetness to help balance the tartness of the salsa.
  • Cilantro – One of the key flavors of the dish! Cilantro is just one of those herbs that some people can’t stand, if that’s the case with you I recommend substituting with fresh parsley.
  • Lime juice & zest – I recommend only using fresh lime juice, it really is worth the extra effort. Adding zest to the marinade will really concentrate that lime flavor.
  • Salt & pepper – To taste.
  • Club soda – This ingredient is totally optional but I always make sure to include it to help tenderize the meat.
Strawberry salsa
  • Fruits & veggies – Tomato, strawberry, jalapeno pepper (seeds removed), and green onion all chopped are the base of this salsa.
  • Cilantro – Even more cilantro! This will really layer our flavors throughout the dish.
  • Lime juice – I love lots of lime juice in my salsas, fresh only!
  • Salt & pepper – To taste.
Chicken breast marinating in a white bowl

How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken And Strawberry Salsa

For detailed measurements and instructions, scroll to my printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Prepare the marinade: Add all of the ingredients listed under chicken in the section above (except the chicken itself) to a blender and blend till smooth.
  • Prepare the chicken: Place each chicken breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound gently with a meat mallet so as not to break the meat. I pound mine out till it’s 1/2 inch thick. Place chicken in a large bowl and cover with the marinade. Stir to incorporate and leave to sit for 20 minutes.
  • Combine the salsa: Chop all the salsa ingredients (except the lime) finely and toss together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate till ready to serve to allow all those flavors to get acquainted.
  • Finish the cilantro lime grilled chicken: Grill the chicken on both sides, about 3 – 4 minutes each and spoon salsa over top once done. That’s it! This dish doesn’t even need a side dish with all that salsa.
Process shots of strawberry salsa being made

Tips For Making The Best Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • Club soda is a must if you have it, the physical tenderizing from the mallet combined with the chemical tenderizing from the club soda will make this chicken so soft.
  • I allow my chicken to marinate while the grill heats up, at least 20 minutes in total.
  • If you like something spicier, a diced habanero with the seeds removed will make this dish sizzle
  • This salsa is so good that it can be used on all sorts of things. If I’m in the food for it sometimes I’ll even warm up some tortillas and make little tacos from this recipe.
  • If you’re using chicken thighs in place of breasts, be extra gentle while physically tenderizing to make sure it doesn’t become too thin.
Close up of strawberry salsa with green onion on top

Storing The Strawberry Salsa

This salsa will keep fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week. It freezes really well too, lasting up to 1 year in the freezer! The chicken can be stored like usual for up to 3 – 4 days

Can I Bake This Cilantro Lime Chicken?

Absolutely! Just follow my instructions for baked chicken breasts and that’s all you need to do!

Finished cilantro lime chicken and strawberry salsa on a white plate with limes and strawberries

Try These Delicious Chicken Recipes:

  • Firecracker Chicken
  • Buttermilk Fried Chicken
  • Orange Chicken
  • Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Chicken Parmesan
  • Mongolian Chicken
  • Coq Au Vin
  • Tandoori Chicken

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

cilantro lime chicken topped with strawberry salsa on a plate
Print
4.78 from 27 votes

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 25 minutes
Rate Recipe
Cilantro Lime Chicken with Strawberry Salsa – a light and refreshing strawberry and jalapeno salsa with cilantro lime marinated grilled chicken, perfect for summer! Ready in only 25 minutes!!
4

Ingredients

For Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • 1 1/2 pound chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup club soda ((optional) helps to tenderize the meat))

For Strawberry Salsa

  • 1 cup tomatoes (chopped small)
  • 1 cup strawberries (chopped small)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper (chopped)
  • 5 green onions (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • In a blender add the cilantro lime chicken ingredients; olive oil, honey, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, salt and pepper. Also add club soda if using it. Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth.
  • Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap and gently pound using a meat mallet until chicken is about 1/2 inch in thickness. Place chicken in a large bowl and pour cilantro lime marinade over chicken. Marinate for about 20 minutes, while grill heats up and you make the strawberry salsa.
  • To make strawberry salsa, toss all the salsa ingredients together in a bowl and cover and refrigerate until chicken is ready to serve. Grill the chicken on both sides. about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
  • To serve spoon salsa over grilled chicken.

Notes

This salsa will keep fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week. It freezes really well too, lasting up to 1 year in the freezer! The chicken can be stored like usual for up to 3 – 4 days
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 301kcal (15%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 37g (74%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Cholesterol: 108mg (36%)Sodium: 500mg (22%)Potassium: 814mg (23%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 685IU (14%)Vitamin C: 40.3mg (49%)Calcium: 29mg (3%)Iron: 1.1mg (6%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

cilantro lime chicken topped with strawberry salsa on a plate

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Originally shared April, 2015.
Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken with Strawberry Salsa - a light and refreshing strawberry and jalapeno salsa with cilantro lime marinated grilled chicken, perfect for summer!
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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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50 Comments
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Jessica
Jessica
Posted: 9 months ago

Can I use mild green chilis instead of jalapeno? We dont like alot of spice. We dont like raw tomato chuncks. What about doing a kiwi substitue for the salsainstwad of tomato to add bulk?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jessica
Posted: 9 months ago

Sure, why not, use ingredients you and your family like.

0
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
Posted: 9 months ago

This was one of the first recipes I made after getting married and 7 years later, my husband still asks for it regularly! I’ve made it in four different houses in four different states. Safe to say, it’s a family favorite! Summery and light and perfect in every way!

0
Reply
jodi
jodi
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I’ve made this so many times, my family love’s it!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Reply to  jodi
Posted: 1 year ago

That’s wonderful! So happy you all enjoy it so much!

0
Reply
Justine Munera
Justine Munera
Posted: 2 years ago

Can I substitute sparkling water in place of club soda?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Justine Munera
Posted: 2 years ago

Definitely!

0
Reply
Susy Kohn
Susy Kohn
Posted: 2 years ago

Hi Jo. I really love your recipes. Thank you for sharing. As I am in Australia and we sometimes call things by a different name, (eg cilantro is coriander here down-under) can you tell me what is a ‘club soda’. Is that a lemon favoured soda or just plain soda water? Thank you.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Susy Kohn
Posted: 2 years ago

Just plain soda water!

0
Reply
Susy Kohn
Susy Kohn
Reply to  Jo Cooks Team
Posted: 2 years ago

Thank you team.

0
Reply
Karen Kipper
Karen Kipper
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
This was so good! It’s filling but refreshing. Perfect spring or summer meal! The whole family loved it and I definitely piled on the delicious salsa. Thank you!

0
Reply
Pam
Pam
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Made this tonight and OMG sooooo delicious!!
Will definitely make this again soon!!

0
Reply
Tracy
Tracy
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
I’ve tried this a few times now. So quick and easy but amazing flavours! Love it!

0
Reply
Robin Melton
Robin Melton
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Perfect for a summer dinner. Quick, easy. Served with chunks of cantaloupe on the side. Salsa was more savory than sweet. Strawberries were not real sweet.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Robin Melton
Posted: 3 years ago

So glad you liked this!

0
Reply
Sandra D
Sandra D
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Made this last night (well, my husband did) – it was DELICIOUS! Didn’t put cilantro in it at all (and didn’t add anything else); still great.

Definitely will make again and again. It reminded me of a watermelon and red onion salad recipe I’ve lost (and miss). Had it with a side rice.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Sandra D
Posted: 3 years ago

Glad you liked it, Sandra!

0
Reply
Alison
Alison
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
This recipe has become a family favorite! And when I make it on a whim without having fresh strawberries on hand, a blended salsa with frozen berries is nice too.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Alison
Posted: 4 years ago

Love hearing this!

0
Reply
Sarah-Eve
Sarah-Eve
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
I really like this recipe! As I am vegetarian, I do it with tofu instead of chicken, but I do the rest exactly the same way! It’s going to be good tonight with my garden strawberries.

0
Reply
Janice Robinson
Janice Robinson
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
Grilled this during rain and thunderstorm- perfect meal for a hot, wet summer day.
I used red chili flakes instead of jalapeño and also club soda – accompanied with new asparagus and corn on the cob. What a fantastic recipe- will definitely make again!

0
Reply
Denise
Denise
Posted: 4 years ago

This sounds so delicious but my family doesn’t like cilantro! Do you think I could substitute a few herbs instead? Maybe parsley/basil/oregano in the marinade?

0
Reply
Nicole Beaulieu
Nicole Beaulieu
Reply to  Denise
Posted: 4 years ago

For sure! You can never go wrong with fresh herbs.

0
Reply
Paul
Paul
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
Jo, this recipe screams “Summer”. The marinade kept the grilled chicken so juicy. The sweetness of the strawberries and tartness of the tomatoes and lime made for an interesting combination. I paired this with a garlic, lime cilantro rice dish and it was perfect. Thanks.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Paul
Posted: 4 years ago

My pleasure, glad you liked it!

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

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