Fire Up the Flavor for Labor Day Weekend!

Nothing says summer quite like gathering around the grill—and my Summertime Grilled Chicken is an easy, colorful way to celebrate Labor Day weekend.

The chicken is marinated in my bright and zesty Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled until tender, and topped with a refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish. It’s sweet, savory, and just a little unexpected—exactly what a holiday cookout needs!

Bringing a dish to a barbecue? Cook the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it. When you arrive, warm it briefly on the grill to bring back that fresh-off-the-barbecue flavor. Add the relish just before serving, and you’ll have a beautiful dish without missing any of the fun.

Serve it with corn on the cob, warm tortillas, or a crisp summer salad. If you have leftovers—and that’s a big “if”—slice the chicken for tacos, wraps, or salads the next day.

A Dressing That Does It All

My Honey-Lime Dressing is much more than a marinade. Toss it with mixed greens or my Apple Barley Salad for a lively burst of citrus flavor.

The lime juice provides vitamin C, while compounds in chili powder help neutralize free radicals in the cells. For a little more kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Both contain capsaicin, which helps stimulate circulation.

When used as a marinade, the lime brightens the flavor of the chicken while the olive oil helps keep it moist and prevents it from sticking to the grill. You can even use the dressing with fruit salad—just leave out the allicin-rich garlic!

Fresh, Colorful, and No Cooking Required

The Strawberry-Avocado Relish comes together without turning on the stove—a definite bonus on a warm holiday weekend. Strawberries, avocado, and cilantro provide beneficial antioxidants. Strawberries are especially high in vitamin C and flavonoids, while avocados contain glutathione, which supports the body’s natural detoxification processes.

This cheerful relish is also delicious spooned over grilled fish or served as a dip with whole-grain tortilla chips.

Here’s to good food, good friends, and one last delicious taste of summer. Happy Labor Day!

Recipes: 

Healthy Mexican-Style Grilled Corn

This lighter take on Mexican street corn has all the creamy, tangy flavor of the original without being overly heavy. Greek yogurt replaces most of the mayonnaise, while lime, cilantro, and spices add plenty of fresh flavor.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 ears fresh corn, husks and silk removed
• 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbs. mayonnaise, optional
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• ½ tsp. chili powder
• ¼ tsp. smoked paprika
• ⅓ cup crumbled cotija or feta cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Lightly brush the corn with olive oil and grill for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred.
3. In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
4. Spread the yogurt mixture lightly over the warm corn.
5. Sprinkle with cotija cheese, cilantro, and cayenne pepper, if desired. Serve with lime wedges.

FoodTrients Benefits

Corn provides fiber and carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which support healthy vision. Greek yogurt adds protein and beneficial probiotics, while lime and cilantro contribute vitamin C and antioxidants. Chili peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that supports circulation and adds a lively kick.

Make-ahead tip: Grill the corn in advance and refrigerate it without the toppings. Warm it briefly on the grill, then add the yogurt mixture, cheese, and cilantro just before serving.

Summertime Grilled Chicken

This Mexican-inspired dish just screams dellicious! The chicken is marinated in my Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled, and paired with my refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish for an immunity boost, a dose of antioxidants, and detoxifying support. Serve it with corn on the cob or tortillas.

SERVES 2

Ingredients

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 recipe Honey-Lime Dressing
1 recipe Strawberry-Avocado Relish

Procedure

1. Marinate the chicken breasts in the Honey-Lime Dressing in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. The easiest way to ensure that the marinade coats the chicken evenly is to put both in a resealable plastic bag and squeeze the air our before sealing.
2. Remove chicken, reserving marinade. Prepare grill.
3. Grill the chicken breasts over medium-high heat until they are no longer pink in the middle, about 8-10 minutes per side. Baste with the reserved marinade while cooking.
4. To serve, arrange the chicken breasts on plates and spoon Strawberry-Avocado Relish over them.

FoodTrients: Allicin, Anthocyanins, Catechins, Selenium., Vitamin C

Honey-Lime Dressing

Ingredients

1 1/2 Tbs. lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 1/2 Tbs. honey
1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Sea salt to taste

Procedure

Combine all the ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid and shake until well blended.

FoodTrients: Allicin, Oleocanthals, Vitamin C

1 1/2 cups diced strawberries
1 diced medium-size avocado
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
1 Tbs. chopped cilantro
1 tsp. sugar
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Procedure

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon.

FoodTrients: 
Anthocyanins
Omega-3s
Vitamin C
Oleocanthals
Vitamin C