Grilled Chicken with Avocado Chipotle Sauce
Juicy grilled chicken breasts topped with a fresh and smoky sauce combining creamy diced avocado, fire-roasted tomatoes, and spicy pickled chipotle chiles. The sauce gets richness from cotija cheese and brightness from oregano and onion. Perfect for summer dinners or casual entertaining when you want something healthier but still packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavors. The combination of cool avocado and warm spiced chicken creates a satisfying contrast that works well for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Remove skin from tomatoes, cut in half crosswise and remove seeds
- 2
Blend tomatoes with deveined chipotle chiles
- 3
Transfer blended mixture to a bowl
- 4
Carefully stir in avocado, onion, oil, oregano and salt to the tomato and chile mixture
- 5
Add grated cheese to the sauce
- 6
Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste
- 7
Cook chicken on grill at medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F
- 8
Place 1 chicken breast on each of 4 individual plates
- 9
Evenly distribute chipotle sauce amongst the 4 chicken breasts
Tips
Use tongs to carefully fold avocado into the sauce to prevent mashing and maintain texture.
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling to retain juices before serving.
Toast oregano in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding to intensify flavor.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Store sauce separately from chicken.
Sauce can be made 2 hours ahead. Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
Serve immediately while chicken is warm and sauce is fresh.
Common Mistakes
Don't overmix the avocado to avoid making the sauce mushy.
Don't skip resting the chicken to avoid dry meat.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this sauce dairy-free?
Yes, simply omit the cotija cheese or substitute with a dairy-free alternative like nutritional yeast for umami flavor.
What if I can't find pickled chipotle chiles?
Use chipotle chiles in adobo sauce instead, or substitute with 1 teaspoon smoked paprika plus a pinch of cayenne.
How long will the avocado sauce keep?
Best used within 2 hours due to avocado browning. Add lime juice to extend freshness slightly.