Smoked Carolina Gold Chicken with Heirloom Tomato Salsa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A tender, house-smoked chicken breast paired with a vibrant salsa featuring locally grown heirloom tomatoes and garden herbs, capturing the essence of South Carolina farm-to-table dining. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 (6 oz each), boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup, diced heirloom tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/2, sliced avocado

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then rub with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Let sit for 15 minutes while preheating grill to 375°F.
2. Step 2: Brush grill grates with olive oil and place chicken on grill. Cook 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are golden brown, basting occasionally with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil.
3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, combine diced heirloom tomatoes, red onion, chopped cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and let sit for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Step 4: Slice cooked chicken 1/4 inch thick and serve immediately with tomato salsa and avocado slices.