The fresh flavors of summer in a wonderful grilled chicken dinner. Juicy grilled chicken is topped with a fresh watermelon and mango salsa. Sweet and spicy and so delicious!
Well, it's June and that means it's grilling season around here! We reorganized our back porch and I have a little grilling corner set up.
Nothing like what the fancy chefs have, but I have a gas grill and wood pellet smoker all within easy reach. So expect more smoking and grilling recipes coming soon!
Let's start with this easy grilled chicken recipe that I first made in 2014. I found it in an old issue of Cooking Light and modified it a bit.
Chicken is marinated in a spicy olive oil and spice mixture. While it's marinating whip up a delicious watermelon mango salsa. With cilantro, jalapeño pepper and lime juice, it adds so much flavor.
Chicken is grilled in about 10 minutes for an easy weeknight grilling recipe!
Click here to pin this easy grilled chicken recipe now!
Ingredients and directions for marinating chicken.
Ingredients:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts - can use boneless thighs.
- Garlic Cloves
- Olive Oil
- Fresh Oregano - can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Chili Powder, Ground Cumin and Kosher Salt
Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag. Add the chicken and smoosh the bag around to coat the chicken. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
Expert Tip: Place the bag in a bowl, in case it leaks! No messes in your refrigerator!
Ingredients and directions for salsa.
Ingredients:
- Red Onion - I use my quick pickled red onions for this.
- Cilantro - I try to buy organic, since tender leafed plants like this can be sprayed.
- Jalapeño Pepper - these are so easy to grow, I usually grow mine, but when I buy from the store, I try to buy organic if I can.
- Lime Juice - fresh squeezed, not bottled, so much more flavor.
- Mangoes - surprisingly and happily do not have to be organic! You can find good deals at the regular grocery store.
- Watermelon - another fruit that you don't have to buy organic! So enjoy all those deals this summer!
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step by step grilling the chicken.
Preheat the grill to high and remove chicken from fridge.
Clean the grill grates (if you didn't clean them after the last grilling.)
Oil the grates - I like to put a little oil on a paper towel and rub it on the grates.
Place the chicken on the grill.
Grill chicken on one side for 5 minutes and then flip.
Depending on the size of your breasts, start checking the temperature at the 3 minutes. You want 160 to 165 degrees.
Remove from the grill, let rest for 5 minutes (covered with foil) and serve with salsa.
This was so good and so full of flavor! We made enough for two nights in a row and on the third day my husband asked if we could have it again!
The salsa is super yummy too and would be great on pork or fish or even as a side dish!
Click here to pin this for later!
What to serve with grilled chicken:
More grilled chicken recipes:
Recipe
**As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Grilled Chicken with Mango Watermelon Salsa
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped
- 1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Put the first six ingredients in a ziploc bag and squish around to combine. Add the chicken breasts and toss them around to make sure they are even coated with the marinade. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
- Preheat grill to high. Spray grill rack with a little cooking spray or mop with oil (whatever method you use to help foods not stick to your grill). Grill breasts about 5 minutes on each side or until cooked thoroughly. Start testing on second side after about 3 minutes. Grill to 160-165.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest (covered with foil) for 5-10 minutes.
- Combine the watermelon, mango, onion, cilantro, pepper, lime juice, sugar and salt in a bowl. Toss to make sure it is well combined (this can be done a day ahead of time).
- Serve chicken topped with salsa.
Notes
Equipment
Video
Nutrition
This was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2020.
Jill says
I've made a salsa with mango but never watermelon. Looks amazing, I'll have to try it!
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
This grilled chicken is delicious, and I could eat the Watermelon Mango Salsa all day long! So fresh and tasty!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
Wow - that salsa looks so fresh and fruity. Perfect for the summer 🙂
Amanda says
This is easily one of my favorite summer dishes! It's full of tropical flavors that make it extra festive, and it couldn't be easier to make.
Tracy says
We LOVE this salsa! That little bit of jalapeno gave it the perfect kick - this is a summer favorite, for sure!
Kimberly says
Looks so good! Pinned. We appreciate you being a part of our party. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We love to party with you!
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Alesha @ Full Time Mama says
Watermelon Jalapeno Salsa?! That sounds amazing!! I love this idea for dinner this week; our family loves jalapeno and grilled chicken. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Delicious Dish Tuesday!
Pam Greer says
It is so good!
swathi says
Delicious marinated grilled chicken breast with watermelon salasa, thanks for sharing with hearth and Soul blog hop. pinning
Pam Greer says
Thanks for hosting!
grace says
what a clever way to use watermelon! i like the sound of this salsa and the chicken marinade is fantastic.
Pam Greer says
I will definitely be making this again - as I love watermelon!
Jacqueline says
What a delicious sounding dish! I didn't even like watermelon growing up - seemed pointless - but now I love it! I would love it like this.
What a fun week - picnics - magnificent!
Pam Greer says
Didn't like watermelon growing up?? Oh my, when I was growing up in the summer, I would eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Maria says
Your chicken looks absolutely delicious! Is that Queen Anne's Lace in the vase? How utterly charming! What's a picnic without a little Queen Anne's Lace to be found along the trails!
Pam Greer says
It's actually garlic chive blossoms!
Mary says
I have tried other fruit salsas but never watermelon. I'm sure the combo of flavors and sweet heat must be wonderful & refreshing!!
Pam Greer says
This was my first watermelon salsa too!
a quiet life says
looks delish, i have never used watermelon for salsa, almost everthing else, but this looks extra refreshing since its packed with sugary red goodness!
Larry says
Good looking dish Pam and the salsa sounds perfect for the hot weather.
Jenna says
Sounds divine! Watermelon is so messy to eat, I think I would much prefer it in a salsa!
Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) says
Pam, Your watermelon salsa recipe sounds delicious, especially with the lime and cilantro--perfect for cooling down the spicy chicken! I think we will be having this soon while the grilling weather is so perfect. Linda
Joanne says
I love fruity salsas like this! Definitely picnic worthy.