This Cilantro Lime Chicken is so flavorful and so easy to make! The juicy chicken marinated in zesty cilantro and lime will have you coming back for seconds. It is an excellent dish if you are serving guests, as it tastes restaurant-worthy.
Hello my friends, I’m excited to share this simple recipe with you. This Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe brings together the fresh and vibrant flavors of cilantro and lime to create a simple yet satisfying meal.
With minimal fuss, this recipe offers a perfect balance of citrusy zest and spiciness, making it an uncomplicated and delicious choice for those seeking a quick and flavorful chicken dish. I make this often as a meal prep to have handy some ready to eat chicken.
Why this recipe works
- High in protein: Chicken breast is known for being a nutritional powerhouse. With approximately 31 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), I prefer this lean cut of poultry since it stands as a prime source of this essential macronutrient plus is lower in fat, low carbohydrates and low calories.
- Tenderizing Effect: Lime juice, with its acidic properties, serves as a natural tenderizer for the chicken. The acid helps break down muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender and succulent texture. This dual function of flavor enhancement and tenderization makes the cilantro lime marinade particularly effective in creating a juicy and flavorful chicken.
- Versatile and Simple Ingredients: The recipe’s success lies in its simplicity and accessibility. Cilantro and lime are common ingredients found in many kitchens, making this recipe easy to prepare with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- For the marinade you’ll need: Cilantro, avocado or olive oil, fresh garlic cloves, limes, honey, chili powder, cumin, kosher or sea salt, and black pepper.
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you crave a delicious homemade meal without the fuss. Start by prepping your ingredients since it goes fast right after that!
- In a large bowl add ¼ cup cilantro, avocado oil, garlic cloves, lime zest, fresh lime juice from 1 ½ limes, honey, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.
- Add the chicken to the marinade. Cover and allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge.
3) In a hot skillet or pan over medium heat add the chicken and marinade.
4) Cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear and the chicken is tender.
5) Remove from the heat.
Top with ½ squeeze of one lime and ¼ cup cilantro.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy while warm!
Tips and Notes
- When is chicken done? The best way to check if meat is thoroughly cooked is with a digital meat thermometer. If you do not have access to a meat thermometer, you can check if the chicken is done by slicing through the thickest part of the chicken breast. If the meat is no longer pink, and the juices coming from it are clear, then this is a good indication that the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- You can get small chicken breasts in most grocery stores, but you can use a large chicken breast sliced in half if you need to. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Alternatively, you can grill it, air fry it, bake it or even cook in a slow cooker.
Can you marinate chicken too long in citrus?
Marinating chicken in citrus for too long can have its drawbacks. While citrus adds a zesty and refreshing flavor, prolonged exposure to acidic marinades, such as those containing citrus fruits, may lead to the chicken’s texture becoming mushy or overly tenderized.
To strike the right balance, it’s advisable to marinate chicken in citrus for a moderate amount of time, typically no more than a few hours. This ensures that the flavors infuse into the meat without compromising its texture.
Serving Suggestions
Cilantro Lime Chicken is packed with flavors and I love to serve the tasty chicken over Cilantro Lime Rice or Primavera Rice and Black Beans. Another idea is to slice ir shred the chicken and use it to make tacos. Top it with your favorite salsa and you’re good to go.
It’s a comforting dish that pairs well with any vegetable, side dish, or soup. Here are some of my other favorite dishes to round out this meal of cilantro chicken.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven covered in foil until piping hot.
More Mexican Chicken Recipes
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
Print Recipe:
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ cup cilantro chopped, divided
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 4 fresh garlic cloves minced
- 1 lime zested
- 2 juicy limes, juiced (about ¼ cup) divided
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 chicken breast skinless and boneless
Instructions
- In a large bowl add ¼ cup cilantro, avocado oil, garlic cloves, lime zest, lime juice from 1 ½ limes, honey, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.½ cup cilantro, 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, 4 fresh garlic cloves, 1 lime zested, 1 Tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the chicken to the marinade. Cover and allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge.4 chicken breast
- In a hot skillet over medium heat add the chicken and marinade. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear. The chicken should reach 165°F when tested with a digital meat thermometer
- Remove from the heat. Top with ½ squeeze of one lime and ¼ cup cilantro.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy while warm!
Muy Delish Notes:
- You can add broth of your choice to the skillet. Turn the burner on to medium. Use a whisk to get all the little stuck pieces off the skillet. You can add a teaspoon of cornstarch if you would like a thicker sauce. Add a tablespoon of unsalted butter to the sauce. Mix until combined. You can drizzle this over the chicken before serving.
Add Your Own Private Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
This is so full of flavor, we loved this recipe. Very easy to make too!
Thank you, Kristine!!! happy you liked it.
I made this chicken for dinner last night and my whole family loved it! It was great with rice!
Thank you, Tayler!! happy your family liked it.
Making this today! Gonna slice and use in wraps this week! The flavor is amazing!
Thank you, Dina and Bruce!! great idea too.
Love these flavors, and it was so easy to make!
Thank you, Justine!!!!
I hope you like this Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe as much as I do! Please leave me a comment or question and I’ll get back to you asap. Stay well! xo, Ana