Description
Cilantro lime chicken delivers a zesty punch that dances across your taste buds with fresh Mexican-inspired ingredients. Marinating chicken in lime, garlic, and cilantro creates a simple weeknight dinner that brings fresh, tangy excitement to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Seasonings and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked pepper
Aromatics and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 limes (divided)
- ½ bunch cilantro (divided)
Instructions
- Blend 2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and cracked pepper in a small mixing bowl until your marinade looks evenly combined.
- Carefully zest one lime, then squeeze its juice to collect 2-3 tablespoons. Slice the remaining lime into thin wedges for later garnishing.
- Roughly chop half the cilantro bunch and fold it directly into your marinade along with the fresh lime zest and juice. Stir thoroughly to distribute herbs and citrus evenly.
- Transfer 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs into a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, massaging to ensure every piece gets completely coated.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 8 hours, turning the bag or chicken occasionally to guarantee consistent flavor absorption.
- Heat a skillet to 375°F over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes per side, creating a golden brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from heat, garnish with remaining fresh chopped cilantro, and squeeze additional lime wedges across the top for bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the mixture for the full 8 hours if time allows.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe cooking and juicy meat.
- Fresh cilantro makes a big difference, so grab the brightest, greenest bunch from the produce section.
- For a low-carb twist, serve the chicken over cauliflower rice instead of traditional grains.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg