How long should you marinate the chicken for?

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful and tender it will be.

What should you serve with cilantro lime chicken?

Rice is the most popular side dish for cilantro lime chicken. You could also serve it with other traditional Mexican sides, like beans or pico de gallo.

Can you cook these on the grill?

Yes, you could also cook this recipe on the grill. Marinate your chicken and then cook it for 7 - 8 minutes on the grill, until cooked through to 165°F.

Cilantro Lime Chicken (20 Minute Recipe) | THE BEST Fresh + Bold Flavor

Name: Cilantro Lime Chicken
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes); ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves, plus more for topping; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon chili powder; ¼ teaspoon paprika; ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs; Lime wedges, for serving

Description

This easy cilantro lime chicken cooks in only 20 minutes and is full of fresh, bold flavors. The secret to this recipe is a mouthwateringly delicious marinade that cooks with the tender, crispy chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves, plus more for topping
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

Make the marinade: in a medium bowl, mix together the marinade: lime juice, cilantro, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
Marinate the chicken: add the chicken to the marinade, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
Cook the chicken: heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 2 - 3 minutes on each side. Don’t move the chicken around while searing. Leave the marinade in the bowl. One seared, remove the chicken from the pan.
Cook the marinade: pour the marinade into the pan over medium heat and bring it to a boil, raising the temperature if needed.
Add chicken: add the chicken into the pan, smooth side down. Cover and cook for 7 - 10 minutes, until cooked through. Check and move the chicken around a couple times while cooking.
Serve: serve immediately. Add additional chopped cilantro on top of the chicken and squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken before serving. Optionally, serve over rice.

Notes

Make it on the grill: to grill this recipe, marinate your chicken and then grill it for 7 - 8 minutes, until cooked through to 165°F.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Marinate Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
Calories: 264
Sugar: 4.8g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 15.8g
Saturated Fat: 2.7g
Carbohydrates: 7.1g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 25.2g
Cholesterol: 107mg

Keywords: chicken, cilantro, lime, marinade, Mexican