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Meet my latest go-to dinner: 20 minute grilled jerk chicken…with fruity salsa!
Typical right? Like what don’t I put fruit on? But it’s cool because jerk chicken and mango salsa just go hand in hand. It’s the bestest combo, especially with sweet summer nectarines thrown on there too. <–for real.
Ok, but guys? Real life talk for a second? I have been in such positive modes of thinking these last couple weeks. I honestly think a lot of it has had to do with these long, sunny, and warm days. I love them so much. Just like the plentiful days of sunshine we have been having lately, I have been on a role with my positivity, and loving it! Buuuttttt, then Tuesday happened and well…it was just a bad day. Nothing was going right, I started and stopped a grand total of five recipes and just didn’t get my to-do list checked off.
UGH.
They happen right? As I sit here typing this it’s almost 10 pm. I just got off the phone with my mom, whom I called to vent to. No need to get into details, but basically, I just had a down on myself kind of day and really needed a good mom pep talk. We’ve all been there, right? It had been a while for me since I really even chatted with mom (I mean, about things other than work that is), so it was really just what I needed.
And can I just say, I feel so much better. Why is it that moms always know what to say?
Anyway, I know this is totally random, but I just thought I’d share! I feel like some of you may be able to identify with me. If that’s the case, and you too are having a difficult week, I recommend calling up your mom, or whoever it is in the world that always takes you back to a happy place. Call them, chat, and then realize that it is indeed Thursday, which means that the weekend is near.
Yesss. yessss. YESSS.
So yes, Friday is almost here, but maybe ever more exciting is the fact that we have this jerk chicken to talk about. This jerk chicken that takes maybe twenty minutes to make, and is paired with the most delicious, summery salsa ever.
Also, how many times do you guys think I will make fruit salsa this summer? Starting the count today…
One of my major summer food goals is to provide you guys with quick cooking recipes that use minimal ingredients, yet still use real food and are mouth wateringly good. Not going to lie, it’s a bit of a challenge, but one that I am loving taking on.
This chicken is nothing short of awesome. It’s fast, healthy, uses in-season produce, and it’s just really freaking good! The chicken is seasoned with jerk seasoning (I like to make my own using lots of smoked paprika, cayenne, tons of fresh thyme and a pinch of cinnamon), a drizzle of honey, and olive oil. Throw it on grill and done. Really pretty simple stuff, but be sure not to skip the extra drizzle of honey on the chicken. It balances the heat and creates a deep, golden caramelization on the chicken that is to die for.
I paired the spicy chicken with a sweet salsa. The combo of mangos and nectarines is truly delicious. I also used a mix of cilantro and basil to give the salsa a fun hint of fresh herbs.
To complete the meal, I made a big pot of coconut rice, sprinkled over some black beans and served up an avocado on the side for some healthy fats.
YUMMM.
Dinner in twenty never tasted so fresh and so good.
I am highly recommending this meal for Father’s Day on Sunday. My dad 100% inspired this meal with his love for all jerked dishes. He loves anything spicy and paired with fruit salsa (I may have created this little obsession of his…). He also says to add that the salsa makes the chicken!
If you don’t end up making this for dad on Sunday, don’t worry, tonight works too!
OKok, any night works, but just make it soon, because trust me, once you’ve made this once, you’ll be wanting it over and over. I mean, obviously.
20 Minute Grilled Jerk Chicken with Mango-Nectarine Salsa
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 666 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- coconut rice, black beans, and avocado, for serving
Mango-Nectarine Salsa
- 2 ripe nectarines, thinly sliced
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 1 fresno or jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or basil chopped
Chile Lime Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 fresno chile pepper, sliced
- zest of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- 1. Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium heat. Oil the grates.2. In a ziplock bag, combine the chicken, jerk seasoning, honey, olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Grill the chicken for 5-8 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the grill. 3. Make the salsa. In a medium bowl, combine the nectarines, mango, jalapeño, lime juice, lemon juice, and cilantro. Toss to combine.4. Divide the rice among bowls. Add the beans, avocado, salsa, and chicken. Drizzle the chicken with chile lime butter. Enjoy!
Chile Lime Butter
- 1. Stir together the melted butter, chiles, lime zest, and honey. Drizzle over the warm chicken.
And with that I say, let’s get grilling…Happy Thursday!
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I love this recipe. Mango, nectarine salsa hello. This is my first year of getting serious with my barbecue, so I’m planning a whole lotta grilling. Glad your mum helped lift you out of the funk, sometimes little things build up and then nothing goes right. A good rant with someone who won’t judge you goes a long way to bringing your peace back. Thanks for this recipe. Have a great week.Sammie
How exciting!! Grilling is so fun!
Your so right about the little things! Thanks so much Sammie!
How do you make the coconut rice, is there a recipe?
Love your website and recipes, they all look amazing! 🙂
Yes! Recipe below. Thank you! 🙂
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hawaiian-hula-pork-fajitas-pineapple-slaw-coconut-rice/
I love the colours this looks so fresh and delicious. It’s mango season so I should be taking advantage of all the local fruit.
Yes!! Take advantage while you can!
Thanks so much Sandy!
This was delish! I made it exactly as you posted, just using chicken thighs and quinoa because it’s what I had on hand. The chicken… so good. And the fruit salsa… such the perfect compliment!
Love these easy weeknight dinners. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yay, so happy you enjoyed it Libby! Thanks so much for trying them (:
I made this recipe on Sunday for Father’s Day dinner and it was fantastic! It will definitely become one of our staple meals!
So happy you like it Amy!! Thank you!
Finishing that daily “to-do” list is an eternal struggle, and the draining of positive vibes seems to happen to me every day, lol! But then the next day comes and positivity is back within reach ?
And when the positivity seems too far away, Mum is certainly the best person to talk to, because they indeed always know what to say – Mum’s are awesome!
And if a chat with Mum doesn’t help 100%, I’m sure this Jerk chicken and salsa would do the trick!
You got that all on point!! Moms are the best when your down.
Haha, I sure hope it can! Thanks James!
Hi there!! Also extremely curious to find out the recipe of your jerk seasoning! Also, can I replace te butter with ghee or any type of oil? Cow milk allergy… I miss butter!
HI Cornelia! Here is my rough recipe that I use. And yes, you can totally replace the butter with ghee (sounds awesome!)! Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love the chicken! ?
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and then I add a little honey to sweeten it up, about 1 teaspoon right onto the chicken
This looks amazing! What would you recommend in place of mango? My hubs is allergic.
Hey Kari! You can leave the mango out and use extra nectarines or use another favorite fruit. Pineapple or strawberries would be delish!
I am so with you on the difficult week! When it feels like nothing is going right, moms are the best. I’ve been so in the mood to make a fruity salsa so this jerk chicken is perfect – making it this weekend! 🙂
Theres no doubt about that, they seem to find a way to make a bad day better always!
Hope you loved the chicken!!
Hi Tiegha, This chicken looks so amazing. I was going to make if for dinner tonight but I don’t have jerk spice kicking around. I went to the store and couldn’t find any!! I googled how to make it and found several versions. Anyway I’m just wondering if you can suggest a recipe that would work best with this amazing combo of yours. I don’t want to wreck it
Of course, Wendy! Here is my rough recipe that I use. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love the chicken! 🙂
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and then I add a little honey to sweeten it up, about 1 teaspoon right onto the chicken
Hi Tieghan, Thanks for the jerk rub recipe!!!! 🙂 I made this recipe tonight and it was AMAZING!!! SOOOO good, you’re so creative and fabulous! Love your site, It’s my favorite!
Ah yay!! SO so happy you made it! Thank you so so much Wendy (:
I would love your recipe for the jerk seasoning.
Of course! Here is my rough recipe that I use. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love the chicken! 🙂
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and then I add a little honey to sweeten it up, about 1 teaspoon right onto the chicken
Looks amazing! Can you list the ratios for your jerk rub ?
Of course! Here is my rough recipe that I use. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love the chicken! 🙂
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and then I add a little honey to sweeten it up, about 1 teaspoon right onto the chicken
I had a bad day too last week…..and I was on such a roll with all the good days, it came out of nowhere! It happens to all of us I guess!!! Hugs and love.
They totally come out of no where!! Hope the weekend cured it like mine did!
This looks amazing!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Thank you Rebecca (:
Wishing you a super positive Thursday! Hang in there!
Thanks so much Liz, means a ton!