Grilled Citrus-Chipotle Chicken with Black Bean Salad
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a spicy citrus-chipotle sauce paired with a fresh black bean and corn salad. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes turns boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice 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 420 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 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp minced chipotle peppers in adobo
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 cup fresh or frozen, thawed corn kernels
- 1 small diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for salad)
- 2 tbsp lime juice (for salad)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp minced chipotle peppers in adobo, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, 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 chicken is charred at edges.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 cup corn kernels, 1 small diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 5: Whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp lime juice and pour over the black bean mixture. Toss to combine and season with salt to taste.
- Step 6: Serve the grilled chicken sliced over a bed of the black bean salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Chipotle 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 Citrus-Chipotle 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 Citrus-Chipotle 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 Citrus-Chipotle 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.
What goes well with Grilled Citrus-Chipotle Chicken with Black Bean Salad?
Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
