Chicken Cutlets cook up fast and delicious and topped with a strawberry avocado salsa make an easy weeknight dinner! Moist tender chicken, sweet tart strawberries and creamy avocados with a little heat from the jalapeños! You'll make this all spring and summer!
Chicken Cutlets are Weeknight Dinner Winners!
I'm a fan of easy weeknight dinners. Even though I love to cook, I really don't like laboring over a recipe. That's why most of my recipes are under 30 minutes. If you find one over that time, it's usually one that braises or roasts in an oven - my time involved is still usually under 30 minutes.
Now I know that you can cook a chicken breast in under 30 minutes, but usually a chicken breast is just too much meat. I love the size of chicken cutlets, in the words of Goldilocks, they are "just right." They cook in just about 3 minutes per side!
What are Chicken Cutlets? They are chicken breasts that have been halved horizontally. I am the first to admit that I am terrible at this. I tried it with these, but my results were less than optimal. Here is an article from Fine Cooking - How to Cut Chicken Cutlets. Whenever my store has cutlets on sale, I buy them and freeze them, so I always have some in the freezer.
How to Cook Chicken Cutlets
Step 1 - heat a skillet over medium high heat and drizzle with a little olive oil. Salt and pepper both sides of your chicken cutlets.
Step 2 - Place the chicken cutlets in the skillet - I use a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and let them cook for 3 minutes without disturbing.
Step 3 - Turn the chicken over and cook for 3 more minutes on this side.
Tip - it's optional, but I cover mine with a lid for the second side of cooking. I think it keeps it more moist.
Step 4 - Remove from skillet.
Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry Avocado Salsa
Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry Avocado SalsaThis was so good, the perfect light dinner. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, I cut these cutlets myself and you can see in the photo of them in the skillet that I ended up with some smaller than others.
I served the two nice cutlets the first night with the salsa on the top. The next day, I made the rest of the cutlets and the salsa into a salad.
Chicken with Strawberry Salsa Salad!
To make the salad, just add some lettuce to a bowl. Dice the chicken and add it along with the rest of the strawberry salsa. Add some blueberries if you have them. I topped mine with Bourbon Candied Pecans and tossed it with a LLemon Poppy Seed Dressing. So good!
This easy recipe is going into regular rotation any time I can get some strawberries.
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Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry-Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups strawberries chopped
- ½ cup avocado peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons jalapeño pepper minced seeded
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped fresh
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 chicken breast cutlets 4-ounce
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 lime wedges
- 4 cups romaine or green lettuce leaves for serving
Instructions
- Combine the strawberries, avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl and set aside.
- Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Season both sides of chicken cutlets with salt and pepper and add to skillet. Cook for 3 minutes without disturbing.
- Turn chicken cutlets over and cook for 3 more minutes - optional to cover with a lid.
- Divide lettuce leaves among the plates (about 4 per plate). Divide the chicken amongst the plates and then top with salsa. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Notes
Nutrition
I found this recipe in an old 2015 Cooking Light Magazine. This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated in 2019.
Jessica Formicola says
That strawberry avocado salsa looks incredible! I can't wait to make this yummy spring dish!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Anita @ Daily Cooking Quest says
I have an almost exact recipe to yours, but with mango and red onions, instead of strawberries and avocado. And since I do love strawberries and avocado, I'll definitely be making this soon. 😀
Pam Greer says
Oh, mango and red onions sounds good too!
Cindy Gordon says
You had me at strawberry salsa! What a wonderful addition!
Emily says
Great recipe! Not sure if you intended this, but this recipe is low carb and Keto in addition to being healthy. Thanks for posting it.
Pam Greer says
Thanks for letting me know, I wasn't sure if strawberries were keto or not!
Kelly Anthony says
Chicken cutlets are the best for easy and quick weeknight meals. They are "just right" and the perfect portion for everyone. Thanks for sharing your quick and healthy meal.
Pam Greer says
I agree, I love them for weeknight dinners!
Renee says
I look forward to trying a strawberry salsa. I typically do mango or pineapple. A recipe with fresh strawberries sounds delicious! Perfect summer meal!
Catherine says
Dear Pam, There just never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done. At the end of the day, it's a feel good meal like this light and healthy dish that gives us energy to get more done. This sounds wonderful. xo, Catherine
Joanne T Ferguson says
This looks absolutely delicious Pam! Thanks for your continued support and link back! GREATLY appreciate!
Thanks for sharing with the Say G'day Party! Pinned! Look forward to seeing you next week!
The Better Baker says
I am LOVIN this simple and wonderful dish. Thanks a million for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck. And thanks for the link back to the party! Please do come again soon.
Kayte says
Oh this looks like a perfect lunch or dinner to me...I will make this one asap. It also looks so beautiful. Lol on the school year...still looking at mine here but summer is not far off and my list of summer things is huge! 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I love strawberries and think your idea of adding them to this chicken salad sounds perfect. Also like the added kick of jalapeno.
Monique says
I never ever thought I would like NOT working this much.
I even wonder why I worked so long.
I would much rather be close to my gardens..my home..than out and about with people I don't even see anymore.
And I love chicken w/ salsas on top..I started last year with Gina's Skinnytaste baked Chicken Milanese with arugula..tomatoes..
NUTS about dishes like this.
Thanks..and enjoy every single moment of this summer.
Amanda @ The Chunky Chef says
I think strawberries are my favorite fruit, and that salsa looks delicious 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us at Friday Favorites, we loving having you join us!
Joanne says
Trying to plan everything you want to get done during summer can definitely be overwhelming...even when you're not working! But fresh and simple meals like this make it easier to get all the things done. That salsa sounds fabulous!