Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salad
Smoky chipotle-marinated chicken grilled to perfection, served with a refreshing black bean and corn salad tossed in lime dressing. This mexican-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes turns peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, fresh lime juice, olive oil into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 can (15 oz) canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely diced)
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; blend until smooth to make the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges have char marks.
- Step 4: While chicken grills, combine 1 can rinsed and drained black beans, 1 cup fresh corn kernels, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in a bowl.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp fresh lime juice with 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp olive oil, then pour over the black bean mixture. Toss gently until salad is evenly coated.
- Step 6: Serve grilled chipotle-lime chicken breasts atop the black bean salad, garnishing with extra cilantro if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salad?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Black Bean Salad gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
