This Cilantro Lime Chicken is full of fresh and exciting citrusy flavors. Seasoned with cumin, sweetened with honey, and marinated in fresh lime and cilantro, this dish is absolutely delicious.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
This Cilantro Lime Chicken is simple and so yummy. I love this recipe for its delicious freshness thanks to the cilantro and limes. You won’t be sorry grilling up this chicken for friends and families.
- TASTE: This dish is tangy, smoky, and citrusy. Seasoned with a little salt and pepper, the grilled chicken has a the perfect amount of char.
- TEXTURE: The chicken is juicy and tender with a light crust. The thick honey marinade is caramelized from the grilling, flecked with chopped cilantro.
- TIME: It takes about 30 minutes to make this dish, plus 2 hours for marinating.
- EASE: This is a nice easy recipe with just a handful of basic ingredients. You can prep it earlier in the day to make it even more convenient.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are best because the higher fat content makes them melt in your mouth delicious.
- Limes- We need a lot of lime to give this chicken its epic citrusy flavor.
- Cilantro- Fresh is a must to impart the right amount of fresh, bright citrusy flavor into this dish.
- Honey- The tang of the lime is offset by this sweet ingredient.
- Olive oil- This helps the marinade stick as well as gives the chicken a nice crust when cooked.
- Seasonings- Spices like Cumin, Black pepper, and Salt gives the chicken extra flavor. Cumin has a smoky, citrusy flavor that is perfect for this dish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add garlic- Minced fresh garlic adds a pungent flavor and aroma to the chicken that goes well with the others.
- Add some heat- You can make the chicken more spicy with chili powder, red pepper flakes, and Sriracha.
- Make it creamy- Saute the marinade with some heavy cream to create a sauce to drizzle over your grilled chicken.
- Substitute the chicken thighs- Chicken breasts can also be used, or bone-in chicken. Pork chops are also a good substitute.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Make the marinade. In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Mix. Whisk everything together well and then reserve about 1/4 cup for later.
- Marinade the chicken. In a separate large bowl, toss the chicken thighs and marinade together. Let it marinate for about 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.
- Grill the chicken. Heat the grill to medium-high heat and grill the marinated chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes on each side. During the last minute of cooking, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade using a silicone pastry brush. Serve hot and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Let the chicken marinate overnight to ensure all that flavor gets infused into the meat. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will be.
Recipe Tips
- Use boneless, skinless chicken- Save time by buying chicken that doesn’t need to be prepped before it’s marinated.
- Roll the limes before juicing- Rolling the limes against the table releases more juice so that when you squeeze the lime wedges or halves, more juice will come out.
- Brush the chicken with marinade- This adds extra flavor on the top of the chicken so you get a burst of citrusy cilantro when you take your first bite.
- Check for doneness- To ensure the chicken is done cooking, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. It should be at least 165 degrees F.
FAQs
Some people find the taste of cilantro to be soapy, so feel free to substitute parsley for a similar freshness. Or you can leave out the cilantro and add some garlic for a tasty garlic lime chicken dish.
The chicken should be marinated for at least 2 hours to give it enough time to infuse flavor into the meat. The longer you marinate it though, the more tender and flavorful it will become. Overnight is best.
Serving Suggestions
This Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe is so tasty and fresh flavored. You’ll love it served with grains, vegetables, salads, and other grilled meats.
- Grilled Meats: Pair this chicken with some Grilled Ribeye Steak, Grilled BBQ Meatballs, BBQ Chicken Wings, or Smoked Ribs.
- Salads: Add this Cilantro Lime Chicken to a Cucumber Radish Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Avocado Corn Salad, or Tomato Garlic Salad.
- Grains: Serve this chicken with white rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, or Wild Brown Rice.
- Vegetables: Enjoy this dish with some Sauteed Garlic Asparagus, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, Grilled Vegetables, or Creamed Corn.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep the marinade and marinate the chicken a day ahead of time. Store the chicken in an airtight container or covered bowl in the fridge overnight before grilling.
Storing: Store any leftovers of this Cilantro Lime Chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the grill, stove, or in the microwave.
Freeze: Freeze the chicken once it has cooled in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. It will last for up to 3 months. Defrosts overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More Delicious Chicken Dishes!
Full Recipe Instructions
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Grill
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 limes zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup packed finely chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Make the marinade first— in a bowl combine the lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk everything together well, then reserve about 1/4 cup of this mixture and set aside for later.
- In a separate large bowl, add in your chicken thighs along with the marinade. Toss everything together well and let it marinate for about 2 hours or overnight in the fridge (covered).
- Now fire up the grill to medium-high heat and grill the marinated chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes per side. During the last minute of cooking, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade using a silicone pastry brush. To ensure the chicken is done cooking, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. It should be at least 165 degrees F. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken- Save time by buying chicken that doesn’t need to be prepped before it’s marinated.
- Roll the limes before juicing- Rolling the limes against the table releases more juice so that when you squeeze the lime wedges or halves, more juice will come out.
Nutrition
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