Want a super easy and flavourful weeknight meal? This low carb Salsa Chicken recipe is cooked in foil packets right on your grill. No fuss and minimal clean up. And the green chile cauliflower rice is to die for. This post is sponsored by LA VICTORIA®.
So as a relatively popular food blogger, I get invited to some pretty cool events sometimes. Offers for dinners, and tastings, and even the occasional trip make their way into my email, and I am always flattered to receive the invitation. Whether or not I can attend is another matter altogether, what with family and work and other prior obligations. And summer is a hectic time as it is, and I find myself turning things down more often than not. I don’t usually regret declining the invitation, but there are always a few that I wish I really could have attended.
I recently had to decline an invitation to a 100th anniversary celebration for LA VICTORIA® Brand. I am sure you know this brand of Mexican salsas and sauces. I certainly do, as we almost always have a jar of their salsa and a can of their green chiles in our pantry to help spice up our meals. I was not happy about having to turn down such a fun dinner invitation but I happily agreed to help them with their celebration in another way…creating a delicious and easy dinner recipe that showcases their wonderful salsa and canned chiles. Now that’s my way of celebrating.
Can you believe LA VICTORIA® has been making their authentic salsas and sauces for 100 years? That’s right, founded by the Baca family in 1917, LA VICTORIA created the first jarred salsa in the United States. They clearly have good reason to celebrate and so this summer, they hosted West Coast-inspired dinners in four cities: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco…and Portland! The Portland dinner sounded like quite an event, with a cultural celebration featuring art, music and dishes created by local chef Noe Garnica of Verde Cocina and made with LA VICTORIA® products. And to support the local arts community, the makers of the LA VICTORIA® brand also hosted an art contest offering Portland artists a chance to submit original works of art and win up to $10,000. You can see why I was sorry to miss out on such an event.
I am sure my low carb Salsa Chicken recipe pales in comparison to what they were serving at the 100th anniversary celebration, but it’s definitely an easy weeknight family pleaser. I stirred the fire roasted chopped green chiles right into the cauliflower rice for extra flavour. Then I topped the chicken with the Thick N Chunky Salsa – hot for me and my husband, mild for the kiddos. I sealed those packets up and tossed them on the grill, sprinkled a little cheese on top, and dinner was done. I chose chicken thighs rather than breasts because they have more flavour and are less expensive, but you could use breasts if you prefer.
I do love these products. That salsa is packed with flavour and the fire roasted diced chiles take Mexican-inspired meals to the next level. The products are always made with real, simple ingredients, and all of the tomatoes are sourced from the fertile California central valley. LA VICTORIA® is available in the salsa aisle of most major grocers west of the Mississippi, including Safeway, Albertson’s and Ralph’s.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, LA VICTORIA!
Easy Salsa Chicken Foil Packets
Ingredients
- 3 cups riced cauliflower
- 4 tbsp LA VICTORIA fire roasted diced green chiles
- 1/4 cup avocado oil divided
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup LA VICTORIA Thick 'N Chunky Salsa mild or hot
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium and cut 4 squares of tinfoil, each 12 inches by 12 inches (you can also cook two thighs per packet if you make the foil a little longer, more like 12 by 16).
- In a medium bowl, mix together the cauliflower, green chiles, 2 tbsp of the avocado oil, and a little salt and pepper. Divide evenly among the foil sheets.
- Top the cauliflower rice with a chicken thigh (or two, if you are cooking two in one packet). Drizzle the remaining avocado oil over the thighs. Spread each chicken thigh with one tablespoon of the salsa.
- Bring up the two sides of foil and fold them over together once or twice to seal, then fold the ends over tightly. Place the packets, seam side up, on the grill and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165F at the thickest part.
- Remove the packets and open the top seam. Sprinkle each thigh with 1/4 cup cheese and let sit 5 minutes until melted.
Charis Warr says
Do you think these can be frozen? Without the cheese.
Carolyn says
I never thought to try but I can’t see why not.
Elizabeth says
Has anyone tried this recipe using frozen cauliflower rice? I’d like to try it, but I’m wondering whether I need to cook it first to get rid of some of the moisture. Thanks for any help!
Carolyn says
It works with frozen.
Cyndi McCurdy says
Is there anything you would change if you were going to use breasts instead of thighs?
Carolyn says
I would cut them in half, just to help them cook faster.
Cyndi McCurdy says
Great! Thank you!!
Nicole says
Did this in the oven. It was so good and liked by all. Thanks for the recipes!
Shari says
Absolutely delicious!!! Made these to bring to “Dinner On The Grounds” at church tomorrow. Doubled the recipe and tasted one. My husband and I LOVE them, Thanks for such a uniquely tasty recipe!
Sara says
Could parchment paper work for this in the oven? Thanks for your help and wonderful sounding recipe!!
Carolyn says
Possibly but I am not sure if it would be so juicy that it would leak.
Vince says
I love the simplicity of these. Great when you want something that isn’t going to make a lot of mess.
Christine says
Made these tonight, they were absolutely delicious.
My husband who is not low carb told me to make
These again! Thank you for your great inspiration,
I love your recipes !
Christine
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
Love how easy these are!
Gina @Running to the Kitchen says
This is such a great idea! Love it!
Matt Robinson says
Love how easy this is! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
Jennifer says
Awesome! Did you use boneless thighs? Also, I can’t see what the other 2 T of avocado oil is for…I hope I’m not overlooking it!
Carolyn says
Oh yes, boneless skinless thighs. I should have clarified that. Let me fix the recipe, the avocado oil is meant to drizzle over the chicken.
Karen says
Drool-worthy. These will be going to the beach with us this weekend.
SallyBR says
I’ve been a fan of La Victoria for many many years! Never made a foil-packed meal with them, but will definitely do so, sounds very tasty and so simple!
agree on chicken thighs…
Carolyn says
Thanks, Sally. These are so easy, you almost feel guilty calling it a recipe…
Becky B says
Looks soooo yummy… it will down my pie hole next week! Carolyn, I would be happy to attend those events for you. LOL
Callen says
If I were to cook these in the oven, what temperature and time would be good?
Thanks
Carolyn says
I am not positive but 25 minutes at 375 would probably be good. Put a baking sheet under them so if they drip liquid, it doesn’t go all over your oven.