Chili Lime Watermelon Chicken (Print version)

A vibrant mix of grilled chicken, watermelon, and zesty chili-lime dressing for a light, fresh meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - Zest of 1 lime

→ Salad

09 - 4 cups seedless watermelon, diced
10 - 1 English cucumber, diced
11 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
13 - 1 avocado, diced
14 - 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or baby kale)
15 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

→ Chili-Lime Dressing

16 - Juice of 2 limes
17 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
19 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
20 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - In a bowl, coat chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, and lime zest.
03 - Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and charred. Remove and rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Whisk lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili flakes, and sea salt in a small bowl until combined.
05 - In a large bowl, toss diced watermelon, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and mixed greens together.
06 - Arrange sliced grilled chicken atop the salad mixture.
07 - Drizzle chili-lime dressing over salad and toss gently to evenly coat.
08 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds on top just before serving.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • There is a magical moment when you realize the watermelon soaks up the chili-lime dressing, making every forkful a burst of summer.
  • It’s the salad even picky eaters rave about—proof that a little adventure pays off in flavor and fun.
02 -
  • Rushing the chicken off the grill before it chars just a bit cheats you out of that flavor pop.
  • I once skipped toasting the pumpkin seeds—never again, toast them fresh each time for true magic.
03 -
  • Letting the grilled chicken rest ensures juicy slices every time—never skip this step.
  • Add the avocado and pumpkin seeds last to keep them looking and tasting their best.
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