Savory garlic grilled chicken with a subtly sweet persimmon salsa is the perfect combo to make your grilled chicken even better! Gluten-free and paleo, this healthy grilled chicken recipe will be on the dinner menu every week!
When you find yourself with a bunch of random Fuju Persimmons that Frieda's sent you and you don't know what to do with them, nor do you want them to go to waste, what do you do? Make persimmon salsa! I literally had these poor persimmons sitting on my counter, forgotten, for weeks and they still didn't seem ripe. I knew that withΒ Hachiya Persimmons, they have to be super ripe before you can enjoy them, so I wasn't sure. But then I read that Fuyu Persimmons can be used at any ripeness, so I decided to delay no longer! "Fear No Fruit", as Frieda's says and I feared no fruit!
But, what to flavor it with? I had only eaten persimmon maybe 2 or 3 times before this, so I wasn't really sure on what would go best. Alas, I decided to make a sweeter salsa with some warming spices. The salsa actually isn't very sweet, only subtly so. I decided to actually grill the persimmons to bring out the natural sugars as well. But the sweetness was balanced out with the ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom I used. I can say, I was a fan of my persimmon-ventures.
And of course, since it's summer and the grill was already put to use for the persimmons, the grill stayed on for the chicken! Grilled chicken makes my heart sing and is my preferred chicken cooking method. That's why I am taking full advantage of the grill this summer every chance I get! Last week I was about to make dinner (grilled chicken) and right as I was, it started pouring outside! So much for the grill and my chicken was relegated to the oven. It was a sad day in chicken world. The utter disappointment that ensued! Why would I want baked chicken when I could have had smokey grilled lovely, slightly blackened chicken? I don't know, and then the sun came out about an hour later. The tease.
Another thing I'm currently obsessed with this summer is garlic. Specifically jarred minced garlic. O boy, I have been using that instead of my go-to garlic powder in everything I make! I was never a big garlic person (although I do love my black garlic), thus I always was fine using garlic powder, but recently my obsession with the minced "real" garlic (specifically, Goya's) has been crazy. It's so good and my tummy can handle it! Fresh garlic still turns me off, but this jarred, pre-minced, it just perfect! So my grilled chicken has gotten lots of garlic love. I created a quick spice rub for the chicken and I included the minced garlic. Little did I know that rubbing that garlic into the chicken was the best decision ever! When it was grilling, the garlic got all "melty" and caramelized on the chicken. Needless to say, it was so good, so delicious and just affirmed my grilled-chicken-garlic obsession further π
Garlic Grilled Chicken With Persimmon Salsa
- [i]Persimmon Salsa:[/i]
- 3 Fuju Persimmons
- Β½ Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1eQIt8Y" target="_blank"]Ground Ginger[/url]
- Β½ Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1RqtYdI" target="_blank"]Ground Cardamom[/url]
- ΒΌ Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1TsiyDN" target="_blank"]Cinnamon[/url]
- [i]Garlic Grilled Chicken:[/i]
- 2 Skinless Trimmed Chicken Breasts
- 1 Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1Tsizb0" target="_blank"]Paprika[/url]
- Β½ Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1eQILMZ" target="_blank"]Smoked Paprika[/url]
- 1 Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1JWIgPl" target="_blank"]Minced Garlic[/url]
- Β½ Tsp [url href="http://amzn.to/1JWIfus" target="_blank"]Onion Powder[/url]
- Dash of [url href="http://amzn.to/1JWInu9" target="_blank"]Black Pepper[/url]
- [url href="http://amzn.to/1M2Hws5" target="_blank"]Parsley[/url] (for garnish)
- [i]For the Salsa:[/i]
- Slice each persimmon in half. Place face down on an oiled piece of foil (you don't have to use foil to grill, but I do for allergy reasons).
- Grill the persimmon halves for about 10 minutes until soft.
- Add the persimmons and spices to a food processor and pulse until you get a "salsa" texture.
- [i]For the Chicken:[/i]
- In a small bowl, combine the spices and garlic. Give it a mix.
- Now rub the spice mixture thoroughly in to the chicken breasts, until fully coated. Then place on an oiled piece of foil (if using).
- On the pre-heated grill, grill the chicken for about 10 minutes each side (or until chicken is fully cooked, 165Β°) then remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- Top each chicken breast with the salsa and sprinkle on some parsley if desired!
I actually recommend everyone use the foil for this. It helps with the caramelization of the garlic on the chicken. You will have left over salsa of course, so feel free to increase the chicken portions! I just happened to only have 2 chicken breasts when I made this. I wished I had more π Garlic perfection, savory with a touch of sweet, plus smokey, you'll fall in love and want to make more than 2 too π
So tell me:
+ Have you ever had a persimmon? Do you like them raw or do you like to make something with them? I almost made a jam, but then I had this idea!
+ Are you a garlic-lover? One of those crazy people who eat whole cloves of garlic everyday? Haha, not there yet!
βββββββββββββββ-
Kathy
Visiting from the Recipe Swap. This looks really good. I love mixing fruit with meat. That said, I have very little experience with persimmons (none). I'll have to look into trying this. You have surely peaked my interest.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You'll love the savory sweet!
Creatively Homespun
Thank you for such amazing stuff!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Stephanie
How delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
HonestMum
Perfect low carb, delicious meal!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Free
Oh I love the idea of persimmon salsa! That looks amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Rachael A
Ah so now I know what to do with persimmon's! Would never think to use them in a savoury dish so this is a great idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I say go all out and be crazy with persimmons! You'll be surprised!
Adriana
This looks so amazing!
xo Adriana
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Jennifer Stewart
I can't find persimmons right now but when I do, WATCH OUT! I can't wait to make this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, yay! Thanks Jennifer!
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy
i love chicken dinners and this looks absolutely delicious!! Must try it soon! π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Neli!
Renee @ Bendiful Blog
Yummmm what a great way to use persimmon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Renee!
Lisa @ RunWiki
I haven't had a persimmon in years-- If I recall they taste a little like a peach? yes? I do know that they are juicy and sweet and pairing them with a salty bbq'ed chicken breast is a brilliant idea! The flavor combo sounds spot on!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I guess you could say that! It's hard to describe!!!
Thank you Lisa! XOXO
Farrah
I miss persimmons! I can never find them here! :[[! This looks awesome!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's always a hit or miss with finding them!
Marla
I love chicken and this sounds fabulous for a wonderful healthy meal.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup! Thanks!
Annmarie
I can't have anything citrus but oh man does this look good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Persimmons aren't citrus, haha!
Quinn Caudill
Great combination Rebecca. Never thought about making salsa out persimmons. Very inventive.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a winning salsa!
Kate Thompson
This looks delicious! I've only recently discovered Persimmon fruit, this salsa is genius! Thanks for linking up #freefromfridays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! It's one interesting fruit!
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Persimmon salsa.. what a totally unique and cool idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you π
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah
Love the flavor combo with this salsa! Great way to spice up traditional chicken.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thanks Chrisy!
Evolve with Mary
Persimmons? I've never cooked with persimmons but I know they would be great in salsa. I believe they are in season right now, I'm going to look for some. Now I'm craving persimmons. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are!!! They fruity "tomato"!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
Great idea for a topper! I love persimmons, and the cardamom add... I'm going to have to make this one!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You so should! Thank you Laura!
Harriet Emily
Garlic + sweet + smokey are my three favourite flavours! Mmmm, this looks soooo good Rebecca. Loooove that salsa! I've never actually tried Persimmon before, but now I really want to! I'm going to have to make this - I know I'll love it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You would love persimmons!!! You are just the person to create something awesome with them π
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
Wow this looks SO good. I'm gonna have to give that salsa a try. Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo! Thanks Ashley!
Melodie Cullen
Oh My Yumminess. Must try this one. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Coffee and Crumpets
I do like persimmons but like you, don't ever know when they're ripe! Now, garlic....I absolutely love and eat cloves of it everyday. It pretty much goes on everything, I'd put it in breakfast if I could.
This salsa is really original and delicious! Chicken looks fab too.
Nazneen
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!!!
The other thing about garlic is....if you eat a ton, the taste never gets out of your mouth! How do you fix that!!!?
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
Oooo yeah I'm one of those crazy garlic people. Chinese people love persimmons and my grandma always had some on her table, and even though they're good, they've just never been one of my favourite fruits. I just can't pass up berries, really great oranges, or tropical fruit! Persimmon salsa sounds genius, though! I can't eat the chicken but I can most definitely enjoy that π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, woohoo garlic π My body would kill me if I tried to eat whole cloves!
Persimmons are just strange, that's why I think I like cooking with them more than actually eating them whole!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
Yum-- I love persimmons. Love the spices you used here. I am sure they went perfectly with the fruit salsa. I never really know what to do with persimmons so I usually just eat them plain π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I don't know what to do with the either, but the salsa seemed like a good deal!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
I don't think I've ever tried persimmon, except maybe snuck into a restaurant dish! Looks great, I'd love to try a different sort of fruit salsa π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You've gotta try one!!! Be on the look-out!
sue
This looks delicious and an unusual flavor combination. I love your photographs they make the dish look very tempting.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well thank you!
Katie Cavuto
Beautiful pictures! This looks so delicious! I love persimmons- so happy they are in season again!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Hope you give this a try then!
lindsay Cotter
i adore persimmon! now i have never thought to make a salsa out of it. YOU ARE GENIUS! must try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, they kinda look like tomatoes so....salsa it is! Thanks Lindsay!
Lan
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Your photos are amazing. The persimmon salsa seems to add a unique taste to the garlic grilled chicken.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Lan!
Cristina @ I Say Nomato
Those persimmons sound like they're the perfect compliment to that chicken! This sounds amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think they are! Thanks Cristina!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
This chicken sounds absolutely delicious! Love that persimmon salsa - so original!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Shashi!
Valerie
That looks so very yummy! I've never had Persimmon's before so that is making me eager to try this one.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally give them a try!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
Wow, persimmons already?! None in my area yet, but will definitely reference this delish recipe in fall!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The Fuju persimmons are in season apparently!
Julia
These look perfect for a summer BBQ or tailgating in the fall. I love the spices you used!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Teri@The Freshman Cook
Your chicken looks great! I haven't had persimmon yet, but it looks amazing! Great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Hopefully you can soon!
Jennifer F
looks beautiful and a great way to use persimmons!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! Thank you!
Alex
I love chicken in all variations (yeah it's on the menu indeed at least once a week) and this sounds and looks delicious. Thanks for sharing π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Chicken is more than a once a week thing here! Haha!
Alanna
Persimmon salsa?! Brilliant! I've only had it a couple of times as well. I'm definitely eating my share of grilled chicken this summer (coming from the person who never used to eat much meat) but I'm loving it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Grilled chicken is just the bomb π No shame!
Amber
I NEED TO TRY THIS PERMISSION, whoops persimmon you speak of π This is SUCH a creative idea, love the idea of grilled chicken and salsa together! As for garlic, it's a high fodmap SO i have to really try and not use it or only in small amounts!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
When you have an uncommon fruit on hand, you gotta make an uncommon recipe! Thank you!
nibbles by nic
I never would have thought to use persimmons in a salsa! How clever and the pictures are just stunning! BRAVO!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much!!!
Bethany @ athletic avocado
I love the sound of persimmon salsa!!! I haven't had a persimmon in forever, I need to get them now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I need to get them more often too!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
What a creative salsa. I have actually never had persimmon before. I know, it seems like I have been missing out. I think this is the first way I should try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Make the salsa! Perfect way to introduce it!