Introduction

Enjoy a burst of tropical flavors with this Easy Mango Salsa Chicken recipe. Tender baked chicken breasts are topped with a bright, fresh mango salsa, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

The image shows five pieces of cooked chicken breasts placed on a white plate, each topped with a colorful mango salsa made of chopped yellow mango, red tomatoes, red onions, and green herbs like cilantro. Around the chicken, the plate is filled with more salsa and garnished with several lime wedges and fresh cilantro leaves. The salsa looks fresh and juicy, adding bright red, yellow, green, and purple colors on top of the golden brown chicken. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 ripe mangoes, diced (approximately 3 cups)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional, for added heat)
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (for the salsa)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Use a meat mallet or the bottom of a sturdy pan to gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch for uniform cooking.
Step 2: Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides. In a small bowl, combine sea salt, garlic powder, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, and dried oregano. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken, coating thoroughly.
Step 3: Bake the seasoned chicken breasts in the preheated oven for 17 to 22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For a crispier exterior, broil the chicken for the last 2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
Step 4: While the chicken bakes, prepare the mango salsa. In a mixing bowl, combine diced mangoes, red bell pepper, jalapeño (if using), red onion, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Gently toss until well mixed. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 5: Arrange the baked chicken breasts on a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon the vibrant mango salsa generously over the top. Optionally, serve the salsa on the side so guests can add as much as they like. Garnish with extra cilantro or lime wedges for added freshness.

Tips & Variations

For a smoky flavor, try grilling the chicken instead of baking.
Add diced avocado to the mango salsa for a creamy texture.
Use fresh lime juice and zest to brighten the salsa, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch.
If you prefer less heat, omit the jalapeño or leave out the seeds.
Serve with rice or tortilla chips to make it a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and mango salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken gently in the oven or microwave to avoid drying it out. The salsa is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and eaten cold for up to 24 hours.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with four browned chicken pieces layered with colorful diced mango, red onion, tomato, and green herbs all mixed with a red sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh cilantro leaves scattered on the chicken and sauce. On the right side inside the bowl, several lime wedges are placed on a white marbled surface background. The overall look is bright and fresh with vibrant colors from the ingredients. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and proper seasoning absorption. If using frozen, thaw completely before proceeding with the recipe.

How spicy is this mango salsa chicken?

The spice level depends on the use of jalapeño pepper. Omitting it will keep the salsa mild, while including it adds a pleasant heat. Adjust the jalapeño quantity to your heat preference.

Easy Mango Salsa Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 147 reviews

This Easy Mango Salsa Chicken recipe combines juicy oven-baked chicken breasts with a fresh, vibrant mango salsa bursting with flavor. Perfect for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner, the tropical salsa adds a zesty, sweet, and spicy kick to tender, perfectly seasoned chicken.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Mango Salsa

2 ripe mangoes, diced (approximately 3 cups)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional, for added heat)
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a sturdy pan, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1 inch to ensure even cooking. Brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix together sea salt, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, and dried oregano. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken, coating thoroughly.
Bake the Chicken: Transfer the seasoned chicken breasts to the preheated oven. Bake for 17 to 22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. For an extra crispy exterior, broil the chicken for the last 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Prepare the Mango Salsa: While the chicken is baking, combine diced mangoes, red bell pepper, jalapeño (if using), red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and sea salt in a mixing bowl. Gently toss all ingredients together until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste if desired.
Assemble and Serve: Arrange the baked chicken breasts on a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon the vibrant mango salsa generously over the chicken. Optionally, serve the chicken and salsa separately so guests can customize their portions. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro or lime wedges for added freshness.