Mango Chicken brings all the flavor with tender marinated chicken and the absolute best cilantro-lime mango salsa on top.
Author’s notes
This Is What Summer Tastes Like!
I’m all about a good fruit salsa (I’ve shared so many different types over the years), but mango salsa? It’s simply the best! And pairing it with grilled chicken and creamy avocado is my favorite way to eat in the summer.
It’s fresh, super flavorful, and honestly just the best summer dinner.
Mango Chicken Ingredients
The full recipe is below, but here are a few quick notes:
- Chicken: This recipe uses breasts, but thighs work great too if you prefer dark meat.
- Olive oil, lime, and honey: Adds moisture and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Paprika, chili powder, garlic, & cumin: Brings the flavor and a touch of smokiness.
- Jalapeño & red onion: Remove seeds for less spice; skip the onion if you’re not a fan.
- Mango: The riper, the better! Here’s a guide for how to cut a mango.
- Avocado: Adds creamy texture and balances the flavors—wait for a perfectly ripe one.
How to Make Mango Chicken (Tips)
- Marinate in a shallow dish or bag so the chicken gets coated evenly.
- Fully preheat the grill for the best grill marks and even searing.
- Only flip once so the chicken sears properly and stays juicy.
- Let grilled chicken rest 5–10 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
- Chop salsa ingredients small and evenly so every bite has a mix of flavor.
Quick Tip
Slice large breasts in half or pound to even thickness so it absorbs more flavor and cooks evenly. As you grill the chicken, brush with reserved marinade. Leave a little bit to drizzle over the finished dish as a type of dressing.
What To Serve With Mango Chicken
- Coconut rice: Creamy and slightly sweet—pairs perfectly with the mango salsa.
- Cilantro-lime rice or quinoa: Other great base options for this meal.
- Grilled corn: Adds a nice charred flavor and a bit of crunch.
- Black beans: Simple, filling, and a nice contrast to the sweetness of the mango.
- Tortilla chips: Good for scooping up extra salsa.
Storage
Store chicken and salsa separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add fresh avocado just before serving.
Featured Comment
“This is my favorite meal I have ever cooked for my family! Made it with plain brown rice and the savory roasted carrots, and it was perfection 🙂”
– Demi
More Chicken Dinners You’ll Love:
Mango Chicken
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 limes
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1-1/2 cups diced ripe mango
- 1 tablespoon diced jalapeño
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro measure 1/3 cup, then finely chop
- 1 lime plus more for serving (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper
- 1 large ripe avocado chopped or thinly sliced
- Coconut rice or cilantro-lime rice or quinoa, optional, for serving
Instructions
- Trim and slice large chicken breasts in half widthwise. Pound to an even thickness (not flat, just even) using a meat mallet or the bottom of a pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, 1 tsp lime zest, ¼ cup lime juice, garlic, honey, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and about ½ tsp each salt and pepper. Set aside 3 tablespoons of the marinade.
- Add the rest of the marinade to the chicken in a large resealable bag. Seal and knead to coat evenly. Chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 2–3 hours (no more than 4).
- To cook this on the stovetop, see note 3. Otherwise, heat grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400°F). Oil the grates well with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil (use tongs to hold the towel).
- Remove chicken from marinade and discard the marinade. Grill 4–6 minutes per side, until chicken reaches 160°F. Baste with 2 tablespoons of reserved marinade while grilling and after flipping. Transfer to a plate, cover with foil, and let rest 5 minutes. Slice or dice chicken. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon reserved marinade.
- In a large bowl, combine mango, jalapeño, onion, and cilantro. Add 1 tablespoon lime juice, cumin, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp pepper. Toss gently and taste. Adjust seasoning as needed—add a little honey for sweetness or olive oil for richness if desired.
- Serve sliced chicken over rice or quinoa, topped with mango salsa and avocado. Add extra lime juice if desired.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was delicious the first night, and the leftovers were wonderful in a salad the next day! I added a little oil with lime and cilantro to the salsa for the dressing.
I’m so happy to hear you loved this Mango Chicken! Thanks so much for sharing Anne! 🙂
Great meal! This chicken would be fabulous in tacos or burrito bowls too. We grilled it in a pan on the stove and it was still delicious! I also had extra marinade so we’re going to try it in the sous vide tomorrow. I think the marinade could use some salt.
So glad this was a hit! 🙂 Thanks so much for the comment and review 🙂 And agreed! I suggest adding 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in the directions, but salt to personal preference
Very tasty and easy to make. Love when I find a simple recipe and my husband can cook it on the grill. The only thing I changed was no jalapeño. Added one teaspoon of hibey to the salsa mix to sweeten it up a pinch. Awesome recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Awesome!! Thanks so much for the comment and review Phyllis 🙂
Soo delicious!! Took me a lot longer than 30 minutes but I am a beginner cook! Plus I spent $21 on all of the ingredients for this and have a lot of leftovers!!
So happy you enjoyed it Victoria! 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Just YUM!!!
YAYYY!! So glad you enjoyed! 🙂
The perfect dinner. I am over here thinking this should be dinner one night this week.
I could eat this for lunch every single day!
Thanks so much!! 🙂
This is everything a gourmet meal should be! Loved a little taste of the tropics!
I’m sooo glad you enjoyed!! Thanks Sara! 🙂
This is the perfect summer recipe! I absolutely love mango salsa and love the idea of serving it over chicken. Yum!
Such a great recipe – I love everything mango!