Cilantro Lime Chicken (Print Page)
Zesty chicken marinated in lime and cilantro, grilled to perfection.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
→ Marinade
02 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
03 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
11 - Zest of 1 lime
→ To Serve (optional)
12 - Extra lime wedges
13 - Fresh cilantro leaves
14 - Cooked rice, tortillas, or salad
# Directions:
01 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lime zest until well combined.
03 - Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
04 - Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill or pan-sear for 6–8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and choice of sides.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in minutes but makes you look like a planning genius.
- It is incredibly forgiving and works on a grill or a stovetop skillet.
02 -
- Do not marinate the chicken for longer than 4 hours or the lime will make the texture mushy.
- Pat the chicken dry before putting it on the hot grill to get better char marks.
03 -
- Zest the lime before you squeeze it to get the most flavor out of the fruit.
- Use tongs to flip the chicken so you do not pierce the meat and lose juices.