Cilantro Lime Chicken – WellPlated.com

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Juicy, tender, and super-flavorful, this Cilantro Lime Chicken has a bright, zesty marinade and short ingredient list. You can enjoy it on its own, with a side of rice, or use it for meal bowls, salads, tacos, and more!

Meet your new favorite way to do chicken!

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

Chicken breasts (like these Baked Chicken Breasts!) are always a good choice for weeknight dinners, but lately I’ve been opting for chicken thighs.

They’ve got that extra juiciness to them, which makes them richer. And this cilantro lime chicken recipe is especially scrumptious!

  • A simple marinade infuses the chicken thighs with zippiness and makes them extra juicy and tender. It’s a fun way to switch it up from my go-to Chicken Thigh Marinade
  • Lime juice adds a vibrant, bright flavor, honey balances it with a little bit of sweetness, and a combination of cumin, garlic, and fresh cilantro brings layers of depth and dimension.
  • Add the optional Cilantro Lime Crema and this cilantro lime chicken can be creamy too!

Because this cilantro lime chicken can be served so many different ways (I share some ideas later in this post!), it’s a recipe that never gets old!

5 Star Review

“Cooked this up last night and it was a hit! The marinade gives the chicken a really nice balance of citrus, garlic, and a little sweetness which I like. I served it with rice and the cilantro lime crema on top—definitely recommend adding the crema if you can.”

— Gemma —

A plate of white rice topped with two pieces of cilantro lime chicken, drizzled with creamy herb sauce and garnished with fresh lime slices and cilantro. The plate sits on a textured gray cloth.

Alternate Cooking Methods: Grilling & Baking

I love the easy stovetop cooking method for this cilantro lime chicken, but that’s not the only way to cook it!

Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and arrange in a single layer.
  • Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. If you’d like, broil for 2 to 3 minutes for a nice browning and caramelization.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then serve.

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • Preheat grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates.
  • Remove chicken from marinade and place it on the grill, smooth-side down.
  • Grill for 4–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Skillet with cilantro lime chicken thighs topped with creamy herb sauce, garnished with cilantro and lime slices. The chicken is golden-brown and arranged over fresh greens.

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken

This cilantro lime chicken recipe will pair well with other dishes that have Tex-Mex vibes.

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Juicy and ultra-flavorful, this easy cilantro lime chicken recipe is fantastic on its own, with rice, or in meal bowls, salads, and tacos!

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or ziptop bag.

  • In a bowl, stir together the lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper. Until fairly smooth. Pour over the chicken and turn to coat evenly. Refrigerate to marinade for 1 hour, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours.

  • When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Heat a large cast iron on similar sturdy skillet over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot (a drop of water should bead up and dance on the surface), add 1 tablespoon canola oil and swirl to coat.

  • With tongs, remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and lower into the skillet, smooth-side down. Let cook on the first side undisturbed for 4 minutes (don’t peek!). Flip the chicken and cook on the other side until the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant read thermometer, about 3 to 5 minutes more. Remove to a plate, cover, and let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges and the crema on the side

  • TO STORE: Store leftover cilantro lime chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Reheat this chicken in the microwave, in a skillet set over medium heat, in the air fryer, or in a 350ºF oven. The extra fat in chicken thighs help them stay moist when reheated. When microwaving, I like to cut the thighs into a few pieces first.
  • TO FREEZE: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat using one of the methods mentioned above.
  • GRILL IT INSTEAD: Marinade the chicken as directed, then prepare according to my recipe for Grilled Chicken Thighs.

Serving: 1(of 3)Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 51gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 251mgPotassium: 678mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 3mg



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