Pepper Jack Chicken Recipe
Pepper Jack Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful grilled dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts marinated in a zesty salsa verde blend. Grilled to juicy perfection and topped with melting pepper Jack cheese, this recipe is perfect for a quick and crowd-pleasing meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces salsa verde
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt (or more, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Topping and Garnish
- 4 slices pepper Jack cheese (or as desired)
- Fresh cilantro, finely minced (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine salsa verde, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and freshly ground black pepper thoroughly to form the marinade base.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the thin-sliced chicken breasts to the marinade bowl, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld; you can marinate up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it’s ready for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, discarding the leftover marinade. Place chicken breasts on the grill and cook approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked and juicy.
- Add Cheese Topping: During the last minute of grilling, place a slice of pepper Jack cheese on each chicken breast. Close the grill lid briefly to allow the cheese to melt perfectly over the hot chicken.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Garnish with freshly minced cilantro and serve with lime wedges for added zest.
Notes
- Marinating time can be extended to 2 hours for more intense flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, this recipe can be adapted to a grill pan or stovetop skillet.
- Adjust salt to taste depending on the saltiness of the salsa verde.
- For a milder option, substitute pepper Jack cheese with a milder cheese like Monterey Jack or mozzarella.
- Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Pepper Jack Chicken, grilled chicken, salsa verde chicken, Mexican chicken recipe, easy grilled chicken, cheesy chicken
Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/pepper-jack-chicken-recipe/
