Barbecue Chicken with Fresh Mango Salsa
| August 28, 2010 | Posted by Lauren Keating under Chicken and Poultry, Light, One Pan, Quick Weeknight Meals, Summer |
On my way home from work yesterday, I noticed something: there were yellow leaves all over my neighbor’s lawn. I looked up, and sure enough, their huge elm tree is starting to change colors. I’ve noticed that the morning have been cooler — prompting me to grab a cardigan and even consider a light jacket — so I knew that fall was imminent, but I’m not ready for it to come on in full force! Where has summer gone?
We still have a few weeks of decent weather left so, before pumpkins start taking over my kitchen, I’m going to take every opportunity to get in a few more summery dishes. Like this barbecue chicken with mango salsa that I served with an avocado, bacon, and goat cheese salad. While you could theoretically make this dish any time, the fresh, bright flavors are perfectly suited for a hot, summery day. I love the contrast between the tangy barbecue sauce, the touch of spice from the jalapenos, and the juicy sweetness of the mango.
Barbecue Chicken with Fresh Mango Salsa
In order to get more surface area for the barbecue sauce, I like to butterfly my chicken. To do this, simply make a deep cut across the breast, parallel to your cutting board. Cut it almost all the way through, but not quite in half. Then open the pieces up like a book (or butterfly 
) and press down on the “seam” with your hands so that it lays flat. Butterflying your chicken also means that you get a nice thin piece that will cook up very quickly.
- 2 4-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
- 4 Tbs barbecue sauce
- 1 mango, cut into cubes
- 2 Tbs chopped red onion
- 1 jalapeno pepper, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
Heat a grill or grill pan to high. Brush the chicken with about half of the barbecue sauce, coating both sides. Set aside while the grill heats up.
Grill the chicken until it’s cooked through — about 2 minutes on each side. While it’s cooking, baste with the remaining barbecue sauce. Remove from the pan and let rest under a piece of foil or a pot lid for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving.
Make the salsa by combining the mango, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime juice. Serve the salsa over the chicken.
Serves 2.
Approx. 230 calories, 2.5
grams fat, 2.5 grams fiber, 27 grams protein (will vary slightly based on your barbecue sauce)
My roommate wanted some late night pizza last night and when we went out I totally had to grab a jacket! It was tragic. so I totally know what you mean about squeezing in some last minute meals. I feel like this happens to me with every season!
The chicken looks fantastic…quite a tropical burst of flavor and perfect for summer!
What fantastic caramelization on your chicken! Yep…fall is a comin’ and I am loving it! It is my favorite season in the Heartland, then comes the dreadful winters!
Yum! I want that for dinner tonight!
That is one of the prettiest pieces of chicken I’ve seen in an age. You’ve perfectly caramelized it and the mango salsa is a wonderful accompaniment. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
It’s amazing that fall is almost here. I’m glad the dog days of summer are behind us, but I hope the really cold weather holds off for a bit. Your chicken and salsa look delicious. I’ll need to make a couple more summer musts too. Thanks.
Great recipe- healthy and quick. I use BBQ quite a bit too when it has to go quick. Never thought of combining it with the Mango Salsa.Will try soon.
Fall is definetly around the corner, but this looks like an amazing way to fight it off!
How delicious!! I love the mango salsa
Your chicken looks delicious and the salsa is such a nice pairing. It has to go into the bookmark section. Thank you!
This sounds like the perfect dish to keep you in that summery mood! The chicken looks so perfectly cooked… yum!
This is the perfect end of summer meal–love how bright the dish is!
Greetings from Ireland!! Obviously we don’t get much BBQ weather here, but I was at a cookery course today and learned loads of new stuff about cooking outdoors. Feling much braver, love your blog, great recipe!
something very beautiful about that avocado. Loving that green color!
And the chicken looks so juicy nom nom nom
Wow, I love the idea of combining barbecue flavors with mango! Delish!
The bbq chicken looks terrific and sounds wonderful with mango salsa!
I don’t know about you but I could totally enjoy this dish in the dead of winter. It looks super delicious.