Grilled Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy grilled chicken marinated in tangy salsa verde with melted pepper Jack cheese. Quick, zesty Tex-Mex perfect for summer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1 ½ pounds thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 12 ounces salsa verde
03 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Topping & Garnish

08 - 4 slices pepper Jack cheese
09 - Fresh cilantro, finely minced
10 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together salsa verde, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for maximum flavor absorption.
03 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 375-400°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Discard remaining marinade.
05 - Place chicken on preheated grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - During the final minute of cooking, place one slice of pepper Jack cheese on each chicken breast. Close grill lid to melt cheese completely.
07 - Transfer chicken to serving plate and let rest for 3-5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The marinade does double duty as flavor enhancer and tenderizer in one fell swoop
  • Everything comes together in under 15 minutes of active cooking time
  • That moment when the pepper Jack starts bubbling and browning is absolute magic
02 -
  • Thin chicken breasts can go from perfect to overcooked in about 60 seconds so watch that grill like a hawk
  • Closing the grill lid when melting the cheese is crucial it creates that little oven effect that makes everything bubble perfectly
03 -
  • Low on time even 20 minutes of marinating makes a difference though longer is always better
  • Monterey Jack works fine if you're not into pepper Jack but you'll miss that subtle kick
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