Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken with Pepper Jack — The EASIEST salsa verde marinade keeps this chicken so juicy and tender!! Melted pepper Jack cheese on top takes an already awesome piece of chicken and makes it that much BETTER!!
Table of contents
If you’re a fan of salsa verde, you’re going to love this salsa verde chicken recipe. Since the salsa has green tomatillos, onions, garlic, and I added lime juice, those Mexican-inspired flavors are imparted into this tender and juicy chicken.
Because of the salt content in salsa, it does an awesome job to help keep the chicken moist.
The chicken itself is delicious, but I couldn’t resist putting slices of pepper Jack cheese on top. That melty, gooey cheese locks in even more flavor and drives home a Tex-Mex vibe that you won’t be able to resist.
Mexican-meets-Tex-Mex with salsa verde and melted pepper Jack — count me in all the way!
Ingredients in Salsa Verde Chicken Marinade
Yes, you can marinate chicken with salsa verde! With marinades, I like to keep things simple, fast, and easy. After all, that’s what grilling should be about.
And this one is no exception, especially thanks to a jar of store-bought salsa, which delivers tons of flavor and no work on my part.
This marinade simply includes:
- Salsa verde (I use Trader Joe’s)
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Cumin
- Pepper
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
Want To Make Your Own Green Salsa?
I’ve got you covered with this easy 1-Minute Tomatillo Avocado Salsa. If you want to use it as a marinade, leave out the avocado. But if you’re going to use it over your tacos or with chips, then keep the avocado in!
How to Grill Salsa Verde Chicken
- Add the marinade ingredients to a large zip-top bag.
- Place the thinly sliced chicken breasts in the bag and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Then, fire up the grill and cook the chicken until done. Make sure to discard the marinade in the bag; since it had raw chicken in it, you can NOT reuse it.
- Top it with cheese, let it melt, and serve it up!
Recipe FAQs
In a word, no. But why not is what immediately comes to mind. If it’s a dairy allergy or you just don’t like cheese, of course feel free to omit it. However, it’s worth noting that the recipe as written is naturally gluten-free.
I used pepper Jack slices from Trader Joe’s but if you can’t find sliced pepper Jack, feel free to use regular Monterrey Jack or sliced mozzarella will also melt nicely.
I like to marinate my chicken overnight for the full and tenderizing effects, but if you’re running short on time, even 30 to 60 minutes will do.
The grilled salsa chicken needs to cook for about 9 minutes over medium-high heat. Flip the chicken about halfway through to ensure even cooking.
As a shortcut, I used thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts (aka butterfly chicken or chicken breasts that have been cut in half vertically). Their thinner size makes for faster grilling times and much more even cooking.
This recipe would be even faster with chicken breast tenders or sometimes called breast cutlets or medallions, but as it is with the thin-sliced breasts I only needed to grill them 5 minutes per side and they were done.
Many times with large chicken breasts on the grill, I struggle to keep the outside from becoming overly dark before the interior is fully cooked through but with either thin-sliced or breast tenders, you don’t have to worry about that.
If you love the sounds of this recipe but don’t have a grill, follow the basic oven baking instructions that I do for my 20-Minute Oven Baked Lime Cilantro Chicken. Top it with cheese after it’s cooked, return it to the oven for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts, garnish, and serve!
Sides for Grilled Salsa Verde Pepper Jack Chicken
Storage and Reheating Instructions
In the fridge: Let the chicken cool before storing in an airtight container. It will last up to 5 days.
To reheat: Warm leftover chicken in the microwave at 30-second intervals.
Recipe Video Tutorial
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Grilled Salsa Verde Chicken with Pepper Jack
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts, I had 4 breasts
- 12 ounces salsa verde, I use Trader Joe’s
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more, to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices pepper Jack cheese, or as desired
- fresh cilantro finely minced, optional for garnishing
- lime wedges, optional for serving
Instructions
- To a large zip-top plastic bag, add all ingredients except the cheese and cilantro, seal, and smoosh around to evenly coat chicken.
- Place bag in fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, to marinate.
- Lightly oil grill grates and preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken, place chicken on grill, and grill for about 5 minutes on the first side with lid closed, flip and cook for about 4 minutes on the second side with lid closed, or until chicken is cooked through
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, add one slice of cheese to the top of each chicken breast, or as necessary, close the lid, and wait for about 1 minute, or until cheese has melted.
- Optionally garnish with cilantro and optionally serve with lime wedges. Season, to taste, as desired with additional salt, pepper, salsa, etc. if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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More Grilled Chicken Dinner Ideas:
ALL OF MY GRILLED CHICKEN RECIPES!
Grilled Sriracha Lime Chicken – EASY, ready in 10 minutes, and the chicken is SPICY, tender, and juicy!! Put this HEALTHY chicken recipe on your summer menu when you want to kick things up a notch!!
Grilled Lime Cilantro Chicken – EASY, ready in 10 minutes, and the chicken is so TENDER, juicy, and full of Mexican-inspired flavor!! Put this HEALTHY chicken recipe on your summer menu rotation and it’ll be a hit with everyone!!
Spicy Garlic Grilled Chicken – An EASY homemade marinade made with everyday ingredients that produces super FLAVORFUL, juicy chicken!! If you’re looking for a NEW marinade to jazz up grilled chicken, this is the one!!
Grilled Lemon Chicken – EASY, ready in 10 minutes, and the chicken is so TENDER, juicy, and full of LEMON flavor!! With grilled broccoli on the side, this is a HEALTHY recipe perfect for swimsuit season that tastes AMAZING!!
Sweet Chili Grilled Chicken – Tender, juicy, and full of flavor from the sweet chili sauce! Easy, healthy, ready in 10 minutes, zero cleanup, perfect for backyard barbecues or easy weeknight dinners!
Peach Chili Grilled Chicken – Tender, juicy, and full of flavor from the sweet peach preserves and chili garlic sauce! The perfect contrast! Easy, healthy, ready in 10 minutes, zero cleanup, perfect for backyard barbecues or easy weeknight dinners!
Foil Pack Barbecue Chicken – Ready in 15 minutes and such an easy way to enjoy barbecue chicken on the grill! A delish and healthy meal made in a foil pack with zero cleanup!
Grilled Chicken With Watermelon Mango Mint Salsa – The chicken is tender, juicy, and the EASY salsa made with watermelon, mango, and mint adds so much fresh FLAVOR!! Healthy, FAST, EASY, zero cleanup, perfect for backyard barbecues or easy weeknight dinners!!
Grilled Tandoori Chicken – Recreate this Indian favorite QUICKLY and EASILY at home!! If you’re looking for a new spin on grilled chicken, this is THE recipe to try! Super juicy, flavorful, and you’ll LOVE IT!!
Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Kabobs – Juicy chicken and crisp vegetables coated in a sweet-and-tangy sauce! Great for parties or easy weeknight dinners! Everything tastes better grilled!
Originally posted May 18, 2020 and reposted with updated text May 26, 2023.
Thanks for another great recipe. I used thin-cut chicken breasts and my well-seasoned grill pan since I no longer have an outdoor grill. I halved the recipe since the dinner was only for me. I may use the other breast for a delicious sandwich tomorrow. This recipe was so fast and simple. The chicken was tender and juicy. Thank you again, Averie!
Thanks for another great recipe. I used thin-cut chicken breasts and my well-seasoned grill pan since I no longer have an outdoor grill. I halved the recipe since the dinner was only for me. I may use the other breast for a delicious sandwich tomorrow. This recipe was so fast and simple. The chicken was tender and juicy. Thank you again, Averie!
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad this was a winner for you!
Do you recommendations for cooking in oven vs grilling?
I would essentially make this recipe https://www.averiecooks.com/20-minute-baked-lime-cilantro-chicken-breasts/ if you aren’t going to grill it. Then add cheese over the top in the last 5-10 mins or so.
You could also make the Grilled Salsa Verde recipe in a 9×13 inch baking dish. But if you’re doing it that way, you need to use a baking dish not just a sheet pan like the link above because all that marinade will not be contained on the sheet pan and needs to go somewhere.
Absolutely delicious, my family loved it
Absolutely delicious, my family loved it
Thanks for the 5 star review and I am so glad your family loved it!
We made these into grilled chicken sandwiches. The whole family enjoyed.
We made these into grilled chicken sandwiches. The whole family enjoyed.
I bet they were delish! Great idea!
great
Could you freeze this at the point where all the ingredients are in the bag, then save for another day? Seems like it would marinate while thawing.
I don’t know but many times chicken from the grocery store has previously been frozen and I know it’s a no-no to re-freeze chicken. I would just make this as written, cook the chicken, and then freeze it if you’re trying to meal prep.
Averie,
Thanks for another great recipe; making me look like a chef to my family! As I prepared to grill, I learned my grill was not an option. Instead, I ended up braising the chicken since it was too juicy to saute. Still delicious.
Averie,
Thanks for another great recipe; making me look like a chef to my family! As I prepared to grill, I learned my grill was not an option. Instead, I ended up braising the chicken since it was too juicy to saute. Still delicious.
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad you looked like a chef! Great job thinking on your feet at the last minute, too. I hate it when things malfunction like that but sounds like you didn’t miss a beat!
Okay, this was super yummy and teen approved! It came together super fast which I loved and had tons of flavor! Only thing I did differently was that I added 2 tsp of bottled minced garlic to the marinade, because, well, we are just garlic people. I used Herdez mild salsa verde brand and it worked well!
Thank you so much for an easy family friendly meal!!
Okay, this was super yummy and teen approved! It came together super fast which I loved and had tons of flavor! Only thing I did differently was that I added 2 tsp of bottled minced garlic to the marinade, because, well, we are just garlic people. I used Herdez mild salsa verde brand and it worked well!
Thank you so much for an easy family friendly meal!!
Thanks for the 5 star review and glad this was teen approved!
I think this is one of my new favorite chicken recipes! I haven’t had cheese melted over chicken in a long time but that pepperjack is soooo good!
I think this is one of my new favorite chicken recipes! I haven’t had cheese melted over chicken in a long time but that pepperjack is soooo good!
Thanks for the five star review and glad it’s one of your new favorite chicken recipes! Melted cheese on anything grilled is just that extra touch which I love!
Thoroughly enjoy your recipes. Have you published any cookbooks? Patrick in MarsingID
Yes two of them, there are links to them in the right hand side bar or footer area.