Recipe

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Follow this simple recipe for juicy oven-baked cilantro lime chicken topped with fresh avocado salsa.

My hack for avoiding a messy kitchen when I want avocado chicken is letting the oven do the work with this baked recipe.

baked chicken breasts topped with avocado salsa on a baking sheet

Baked Chicken with Avocado

Baked chicken is always a people-pleaser in my family. So, what happens when you add a flavorful cilantro lime marinade and an out-of-this-world chunky avocado salsa on the top? You get the most EPIC avocado chicken ever!

It’s delicious and super convenient for a quick dinner: the chicken marinates for only 20 minutes, and while the oven cooks it, I can make the topping. If you don't want to turn on the oven, make this avocado chicken recipe in a pan.

Ingredients

You’ll need limes and fresh cilantro for both the marinade and the topping. To complete the marinade that infuses the chicken breasts with flavor, you’ll also need olive oil and ground cumin, while the chunky topping also calls for avocados and shallots.

Top left: raw chicken breasts surrounded by avocados, lime slices, cilantro, red onion, garlic, olive oil, and seasonings. Top right: chicken breasts marinating in a zip bag. Bottom left: diced avocado mixed with chopped cilantro, red onion, and lime juice in a bowl. Bottom right: baked chicken breasts topped with fresh avocado salsa on a sheet pan with lime wedges on the side

How to Make Avocado Chicken in the Oven

Here's what you'll do to serve this baked avocado chicken for dinner with no fuss:

Marinate the chicken in a bowl or a zip bag in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven and line a baking sheet.
Make the avocado salsa while the chicken marinates by combining avocados, shallot, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Bake the chicken for about 22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Serve the chicken breasts topped with avocado salsa.

How to Know When the Chicken is Cooked

While you’ll likely follow the cooking time in the recipe below, the best way to know chicken breasts are done and avoid overcooking is poking the thickest part of the meat with a meat thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 165F, chicken is cooked and safe to eat.

How to Serve this Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken

If you thought this baked avocado chicken couldn’t get any better, wait to serve it with this Authentic Cilantro Lime Rice recipe. Oh.My! For a low-carb version, make this side with cauliflower rice. Other epic sides are Parmesan green beans, this fresh corn and tomato salad, or these tasty carrot fries.

Avocado Chicken (Oven Recipe)

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 10

Marinate Time: 20

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 45

Follow this simple recipe for juicy oven-baked cilantro lime chicken topped with fresh avocado salsa.

5 from 10 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds chicken breasts

For the Marinade:

2-3 limes, ¼ cup, juiced
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 small garlic clove, grated
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Avocado topping:

2 medium avocados, diced
1 small shallot, finely chopped
¼ cup chopped cilantro, approx. ½ bunch
1 lime, 2 tablespoons, juiced
¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Prep:

Make the chicken marinade in a bowl or large zip bag by combining the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken breasts, seal, and refrigerate to marinate for 15-20 minutes.
Position the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the avocado salsa:

While the chicken marinates make the avocado salsa in a medium bowl by combining the avocados, shallot, cilantro, juice of 1 ½ limes, and salt in a bowl. Mix with a fork and refrigerate until ready to use.

Bake the chicken breasts:

Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and place them on the lined baking sheet. Discard the marinade.
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 22 minutes, flipping the chicken breasts over after 10 minutes. Continue baking them until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Note: the oven will not brown skinless breasts like a grill. If they're browned, they're overcooked. Remove the pan from the oven.

Serve:

Serve the chicken breasts topped with avocado salsa. Sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro and squeeze a little lime over the top.

Equipment

Free Meal Planner Printable

Meat Thermometer

Nutrition

Baked Avocado Chicken with Cilantro Lime

Baked Chicken with Avocado

Ingredients