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This Strawberry Mango Salsa Chicken is the perfect light dish on a spring or summer night! Lean chicken breasts soak in a mango marinade before being grilled to perfection. Then, we pair them with a refreshing fruity salsa for a delicious, sweet, and savory meal!
This chicken recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and guaranteed to please!
Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
It’s officially grilling season. That means we’re making everything from Loaded Grilled Eggplant to Grilled Corn on the Cob and Grilled Steak Salad.
We’re always trying out something new! However, this healthy grilled chicken with mango salsa recipe is always in our weekly rotation. Savory and sweet, we just can’t get enough.
The chicken is marinated in a fresh mango puree and grilled to perfection. Then, we top it with a homemade mango and strawberry salsa. Simple to prepare, it’s quick, easy, and just dang delicious. Pair it with your favorite side dishes for a crowd-pleasing meal!
Why We Love Mangos
Did you know that mangos provide 100% of your daily vitamin C, 35% of your daily vitamin A and 12% of your daily fiber? And they’re super delicious, of course! They are also rich in antioxidants as well, which help fight free radicals. A diet rich in mangos and other vitamin C rich fruits can aid in improving gut health as well!
How To Cut A Mango
There are a lot of different methods out there for cutting mangos. Some say to peel the mango first and then slice.
However, we find the easiest way to cut a mango is to slice off two chunks to create a flat side. Then, cut up the pieces while the fruit flesh is still in the skin, and scoop it out.
Alternatively, you can cut the mango in half. Then, use a glass similar in size, and scoop out the fruit in one large chunk. All that’s left to do is dice it up!
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Mango: We use mango to create a sweet marinade and the salsa, infusing the whole meal with fruity flavor.
- Honey: This enhances the natural sweetness of the mango without the need for refined sugar and creates a sticky marinade consistency helping it cling to the meat.
- Coconut Aminos: A gluten-free soy sauce alternative, this adds a salty, umami flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Lime Juice: We use lime juice in the marinade and salsa for a bright, citrusy taste. The acidity also keeps the chicken tender. Freshly squeezed is best!
- Salt and Pepper: Adjust to taste.
- Chicken: You’ll need 1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breast for this recipe. Chicken thighs will also work but do not absorb the flavor of the marinade quite as well.
- Strawberries: Use clean strawberries in the salsa for extra color, a slight crunch, and even more fruity flavor.
- Red Onion: Finely diced, these add mild tang and extra crunch.
- Cilantro: Vibrant and peppery, this adds refreshing notes that balance out the sweetness of the fruit nicely. Feel free to substitute fresh parsley, or omit it completely if desired.
Add Avocado
Feel free to incorporate diced avocado into the salsa to create mango avocado salsa. The fat adds a delicious creamy consistency and helps our bodies absorb fat-soluble vitamins in fruit and veggies.
How to Make The Best Strawberry Mango Salsa Chicken
- Puree the mango: Scoop out the flesh from half of the mango. Then, transfer it to a blender, and puree until smooth.
- Create a marinade: Add the mango puree to a large bowl along with the honey, coconut aminos, and one tablespoon of lime juice. Add a big pinch of salt and pepper, and whisk to combine.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken to the bowl, submerging it completely. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful your chicken will be!
- Grill: Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Then, shake off any excess mango marinade from the chicken. Arrange the protein on the grill, and cook, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the salsa: Dice the remaining mango in half. Then, add it to a bowl with the strawberries, red onion, cilantro, and remaining lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Top the chicken with the salsa, and enjoy!
Use a Grill Pan
If you can, we highly recommend cooking this recipe on an outdoor grill. Since the chicken has a sweet mango marinade, cooking it on a grill where there is more air circulation allows for even cooking. It also reduces the likelihood of the chicken burning.
However, if an outdoor grill is not an option, using a grill pan also works! Heat it over the stove, and cook the chicken as normal. Just be sure to shake off as much excess marinade as possible, as it has a tendency to burn before the chicken cooks through.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this grilled chicken recipe in a bowl with coconut rice, cauliflower rice, or cilantro lime rice and black beans. But it pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some of my favorite pairing options include:
FAQs
We love this with mango and strawberries. However, you could probably substitute a few other sweet fruits here such as pineapple or peaches!
Yes! For the best results, store the chicken and salsa separately. Cooked chicken will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Fresh mango salsa will keep for up to 1-2 days.
Ripe mangos give slightly when squeezed but should not be so soft that they’re mushy. They will also have a slightly sweet smell near the stem.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- Chopped Antipasto Salad with Chicken
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Grilled Veggie & Grilled Chicken Salads with Tomato Vinaigrette
- One Pan Chicken and Veggies
- Caribbean Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Strawberry and Mango Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 large mango sliced into two halves
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon lime juice divided
- Pinch fine sea salt
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup strawberries diced
- 1/4 red onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro sliced
Instructions
- Scoop out the flesh from 1 half of the mango. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth.1 large mango
- To a large bowl add the mango puree, honey, coconut aminos, 1 tablespoon of lime, and a big pinch of salt and pepper and the chicken. Let chicken marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon coconut aminos, 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon lime juice, Pinch fine sea salt, Pinch black pepper, 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- When ready, heat grill. Shake off excess mango marinade and grill chicken for about 10-12 minutes on each side, until it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts.
- Meanwhile, make salsa: Dice the remaining mango half. To a bowl add mango, strawberries, red onion, cilantro, remaining lime juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.1 cup strawberries, 1/4 red onion, 1/2 cup cilantro
- Top chicken with salsa and enjoy!
Notes
Yes! For the best results, store the chicken and salsa separately. Cooked chicken will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Fresh mango salsa will keep for up to 1-2 days. Want the chicken to cook quicker?
Slice in half crosswise to make thinner chicken breasts, and they’ll cut the cooking time almost in half! You can cook this on a grill pan. However, make sure not to leave too much of the marinade on the chicken before placing on the pan to grill since it has a tendency to burn before it is cooked through. This recipe was originally published on May 2016, and republished with updated photos and slight modifications to the recipe.
Loved this! Prep was easy and the salsa was delicious. It was a perfect summer recipe and picky eater husband approved.
What does everyone recommend as good sides for this? Looks amazing!!
A big old salad would be lovely 🙂
I might be over looking it, but how many does these feed? Need to know for a family of 6. Thanks
This was AMAZING!!! I made this for a family get-together and everyone just LOVED it, even the kiddos!! My hubby said it tasted like something he would order in a restaurant- what a compliment!!!
I can’t get enough of mangoes either, they are soo tasty! Mango sushi really is a winner if you haven’t tried it before! This easy dinner looks like a perfect Spring treat too!
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk