I got back last week from an amazing adventure in Panama. My friend Ana and I spent seven days trekking in the jungle, braving choppy ocean waters in tiny wooden water taxis, taking in the colorful flaura and fauna and drinking ice cold Panamas while doing some amazing people watching.
Icy cold Panama!
I absolutely love the way taking an international adventure trip makes an incredible impact on you. It gives you this amazing opportunity to see the US from another country’s eyes, to truly appreciate all you have, and take in the exotic sounds, tastes and music of another people. After travelling around from place to place you don’t come home relaxed and rejuvenated the way you would from a vacation, but you come changed. You come home open. You come full of light and life. I am so grateful for all my international experiences and the wanderlust in me already has me asking, “Where to next?”
Welcome to the jungle!
Of course I was over the moon about seeing all three “boys” when I got back. Andy bought the hugest watermelon ever so I wanted to get creative. I came up with this Watermelon and Lime Glazed Chicken that I served with a refreshing salad of watermelon, chunks of feta, and chopped cucumber drizzled with olive oil, balsamic and salt and pepper.
Here’s What You Need for the Chicken: (Serves 3-4)
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups of roughly chopped watermelon
1 lime
3 TBS of agave
S+P
Minced garlic
Extra virgin olive oil
Here’s What You Do:
Put the watermelon, two TBS of agave and the lime juice into the blender and blend until smooth. Heat in a pan until just starting to boil and then reduce to medium/medium low and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce gets thick and syrupy. Remove from the heat and move to a container in the refrigerator until it cools down. Stir in the remaining TBS of agave and season with salt and if you like, pepper. Marinate the chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag with olive oil, about ½-1tsp of minced garlic, salt and pepper and about half of the watermelon sauce. Return to the refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to overnight. Preheat a grill pan with 1TBS of extra virgin olive oil or a grill to medium high. Shake the access marinade off the chicken and grill the chicken for about 13 minutes turning once. Baste constantly with the remaining watermelon sauce so that the chicken is nice and glazed. Add one more big dash of salt and pepper and serve.
La Buena Vida!
**I mention the ingredients for a nice complimentary salad above. I also served it with Uncle Ben’s microwaveable rice Whole Grain Medley Santa Fe with ½ an avocado stirred in. Super easy and satisfying dinner!
Kid Tip:
Cut the chicken into little pieces and serve it along with fresh watermelon and the rice I mention above. (You may want to leave out the avocados if your kids don’t like them.)
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Mmm…I love the watermelon, cucumber, feta salad idea! That will be one of my quick healthy lunches this week
Great! Let me know if you like it!
Sounds like you had an amazing time in Panama! What a great combination for chicken and perfect for summertime grilling!
I did! Thanks–Let me know if you try it!
Your chicken is very innovative
I’ve never been to Panama but would love to go one day.
Thanks Marta! It was the tons of watermelon we had that inspired me!
Sounds like you had a great trip!! I love the sound of this glaze! I have never had watermelon glaze before, but it sounds like a perfect summer flavor!
Thanks Jessica! ‘Totally made up, but it worked. It was actually alot more savory than I would have thought.
What an exciting trip overseas!! I love traveling too but most importantly i love your crispy chicken loaded with watermelon and lime!! Never imagined watermelon flavor on chicken though —sounds lovely:)
perfection! Using the sweet summer fruit to flavor chicken! I love it
Thanks chica!
Wow, it sounds like you had an amazing trip, Bree! Love that you took such a brave adventure with your friend and came back with some cooking inspiration! Lovely recipe, so thanks for sharing.
Thanks Georgia! I love trips like this
The chicken sounds good, and so easy to do for a big crowd. Might have to make some of it up for a BBQ this summer, I’ll let you know what everyone thinks.
For sure let me know, Candy!
Did you sing Van Halen’s “Panama” the entire time you where you down there? I would have. For sure. And this chicken looks amaaaaazing.
Lol!
What a brilliant recipe, this sounds amazing! And you look gorgeous!
Aww thanks Kelly! You are always way too sweet!
Making this tonight ! Can’t wait
Yay! Let me know how it turned out. Did you try it with the watermelon feta salad?