Tender grapefruit jalapeño grilled chicken with a fresh grapefruit avocado salsa is a healthy, flavorful meal for the transition from winter into spring. Full of citrus and spice and ready in under an hour, this chicken will become a staple in your house!
Who is ready to come out of hibernation and jump into spring?! If you're ready to ditch the cold temperatures and jump into all things fresh, this delicious grilled chicken with grapefruit avocado salsa is just the ticket!
Why You'll Love This Grapefruit Jalapeño Grilled Chicken
Delicious, sweet grapefruit (grown here in Texas!), spicy jalapeño and creamy avocado combine into a lovely, fresh salsa that tops tender, juicy grilled chicken. It can be on the table in less than an hour, it's healthy, and it's bursting with flavor!
How To Make Grapefruit Jalapeño Grilled Chicken
Make the Salsa
- Half the grapefruit, setting aside one half for the marinade. Section the other half into segments, removing all of the flesh from the membranes (here's a tutorial). Roughly chop grapefruit sections.
- Dice jalapeño, onion, avocado and cilantro. Mix with the grapefruit and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
Make the Chicken
- Juice the other half of the grapefruit and whisk with oil, worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Add the chicken and marinate at least 30 minutes.
- Grill on medium heat, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 10 minutes per side, depending on how thick your chicken is.
- Slice chicken and serve topped with grapefruit salsa.
Tips For Grilling The Best Chicken Breasts
- Get a meat thermometer. I've said it before and I'll say it again. MEAT THERMOMETER! Checking the temperature of your chicken (and any other meat) is the best way to ensure it's done (and avoid potential food borne illness) without drying it out. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part before pulling it off the grill.
- Pay attention to your grill's temperature. This is important for a nice seared outside and a tender, juicy inside. We typically grill our chicken hot and fast for a little bit to get those nice grill lines, then move it to lower, indirect heat (the top rack in the gas grill, or to a side without heat or very low heat). If your fire is too hot, your chicken will be dried out and burned on the outside before the inside reaches proper temperature.
- Food safety is important! Chicken should thaw and marinate in the refrigerator. After placing the chicken on the grill, wash and sanitize your dishes before putting cooked chicken on them.
Can This Chicken Be Made In Advance?
You can certainly marinate the chicken and make the salsa a few hours in advance. Any longer than that and the salsa tends to get soggy. I don't recommend grilling the chicken ahead of time, as it will dry out once reheated.
Looking to further step up your grilled chicken game? Try some of these other healthy, flavorful grilled chicken recipes!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintGrapefruit Jalapeño Grilled Chicken
Tender grapefruit jalapeño grilled chicken with a fresh grapefruit avocado salsa is a healthy, flavorful meal for the transition from winter into spring. Full of citrus and spice and ready in under an hour, this chicken will become a staple in your house!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ large ruby red grapefruit, juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Grapefruit Jalapeño Salsa:
- Remaining half of ruby red grapefruit, segmented and roughly chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoon red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 1 small avocado, diced
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Whisk together marinade ingredients (grapefruit juice, worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika). Place the chicken in the marinade in a container or zip-top bag and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the salsa. Roughly chop the other half of the grapefruit segments and add to a bowl with diced jalapeño, onion, cilantro, and avocado. Add a pinch of salt and gently stir to combine. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Heat a grill pan or grill to medium heat. Discard marinade and grill chicken breasts, flipping once halfway through, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F and juices run clear, about 10 minutes per side, more or less depending on the thickness.
- Remove chicken breasts from pan or grill once they are done cooking. Slice and top with grapefruit salsa. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can also use 4 small chicken breasts or butterfly your chicken into 4 cutlets. Thinner chicken will have shorter cook time.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Keywords: grapefruit jalapeño chicken, grilled chicken with grapefruit salsa
Connie says
Do you remove chicken from marinade? Or does marinade go into pan with the chicken?
Kaleigh says
Hi Connie,
You remove the chicken from the marinade. Enjoy!
Connie says
Thanks! I am enjoying your site, and recipes, immensely.
Kaleigh says
That's great to hear! Thanks for stopping by to comment!
nutritioulicious says
I have been loving all the grapefruit this year! Can't wait to try this chicken dish - may make it with steak too! 🙂
Kaleigh says
Oh, it would be great with steak!