Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Roasted Corn Salad
Smoky chipotle-marinated chicken grilled to perfection paired with a fresh roasted corn and avocado salad. This mexican-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 35 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 380 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
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups (from 3 ears) fresh corn kernels
- 1 diced ripe avocado
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; blend until smooth.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts into a shallow dish and pour the chipotle-lime marinade over them, coating evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours for best flavor.
- 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 chicken is nicely charred.
- Step 4: While chicken cooks, preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups fresh corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer corn to a mixing bowl.
- Step 5: Add to the corn 1 diced ripe avocado, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp honey, and 1 minced jalapeño. Toss gently to combine and season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Serve grilled chipotle-lime chicken breasts topped with a generous scoop of roasted corn salad on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Chipotle-Lime Chicken with Roasted Corn Salad take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Roasted Corn 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 Roasted Corn 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 Roasted Corn 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 Roasted Corn 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.
