Cilantro Lime Chicken is flavor-packed, quick, easy, and downright irresistible. It’s perfect for summer dinners. With juicy, tender chicken marinated in a tangy lime and fresh cilantro blend, it’s like a tropical getaway you never have to leave home for.
Whether you’re grilling, baking, or air frying, this dish comes together fast and tastes like something straight out of your favorite restaurant.
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Our cilantro lime chicken is a summertime favorite, perfect for grilling season when you’re craving bright, fresh flavors. It’s also great year-round for quick weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or impressing guests at a casual get-together.
I know you’re excited to try this cilantro lime chicken, but if you love bold, fresh flavors, you’ve got to check out our cilantro lime chicken bowls or these zesty and AMAZING pulled pork nachos.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
- You know when you take that first bite and it’s just…wow? That’s what happens with this chicken. It’s bursting with fresh flavor! The tangy lime, herby cilantro, and smoky char from the grill make every bite feel like a backyard summer party…even if it’s the middle of winter.
- I don’t know about you, but I’m all about recipes that don’t require a ton of time or effort. This one is ridiculously easy to make. It’s as simple as whisking up a quick marinade, letting the chicken soak up all the goodness, and tossing it on the grill.
- It’s healthy without sacrificing taste. Sometimes “healthy” can mean boring, but not here. This chicken is packed with protein and big, bold flavors, so you can feel good about what you’re eating while still loving every bite. Whether you’re keeping things light with a salad or pairing it with rice, you’ll never feel like you’re missing out.
- This is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again because it works with everything. Want tacos? Done. Need a quick protein for meal prep? Perfect. It’s super versatile. Craving something to pair with roasted veggies or pasta? This chicken’s got you covered. You’ll never run out of ways to serve it.
- Trust me, this chicken gets rave reviews every time! Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just feeding the family, everyone will be asking for seconds. It’s a true crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what goes into this recipe! I’ll show you how each ingredient pulls its weight to create the bold, fresh flavors you’ll love. Plus, you probably have most of them already.
- Chicken breast
- Cilantro
- Olive oil
- Limes
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic cloves
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Mix olive oil, lime juice, brown sugar, cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Put the chicken and marinade in a freezer bag, seal it, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Heat a grill pan to medium and grease it well to prevent sticking.
Grill the chicken for 7 minutes on one side.
Flip, and cook another 6-7 minutes until it hits 165°F.
Layer it over rice, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Top Tip
Let it rest. Once it’s off the grill, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. It’ll stay juicier.
Equipment
We made this recipe with a grilling pan and a ThermoPop food thermometer. Seriously, we can’t recommend the ThermoPop food thermometer enough! It’s super accurate and takes the guesswork out of cooking for more consistent results.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for quick lunches or dinner.
If you want to freeze it, let the cooked chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.
For best results, thaw frozen chicken in the fridge overnight, then gently reheat in the in the oven at 350°F for about 10–15 minutes, covered with foil to keep it from drying out. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth.
FAQ
Fresh lime juice is best, but in a pinch, bottled lime juice will work. Add a little fresh zest if you have it for extra flavor!
We get the best results by marinating the chicken for 30 minutes to 4 hours, with 2 hours being our sweet spot. Some people go longer, but we’ve found that too much time causes the acid in the limes to ‘cook’ the chicken or break down the muscle fibers, leaving it mushy and unappetizing. You can’t go wrong with our recommendations, but we encourage you to experiment and find what works best for you.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Chicken Breast
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- ¼ Cup Lime Juice About 2 Limes
- 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- ½ Cup Cilantro Roughly Chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 1 Tsp Cumin
- 1 Tsp Paprika
- 1 ½ Tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Start by putting the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound them until they’re all the same thickness.
- Place the chicken in a large freezer bag.
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, lime juice, brown sugar, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken so it’s fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours).
- Preheat your grill pan to medium heat. Make sure to oil the grill pan really well, so the chicken doesn’t stick.
- Put the chicken on the grill and cook for about 7 minutes on one side. Flip it and cook for another 6-7 minutes, or until the inside temperature is 165°F.
- Serve on top of rice with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts so they’re the same thickness helps them cook evenly. This way, you won’t end up with some parts raw and others dry.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- You can cook this on your grill outside. Just preheat it to 450 degrees.
Nutrition
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