The sun is shining, Cinco de Mayo is next week, and I’m over here craving bright fresh flavors, like cilantro and lime. Okay fine, so I’m actually craving margaritas, but my body doesn’t let me drink lots of margaritas anymore so I’m going to get those flavors via chicken instead. This Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken is a faster and easier version of an old recipe of mine, Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks, which are baked in the oven. The skillet is so much faster and easier, and the boneless thighs I used are always tender and juicy. There are definitely a few options with this recipe, so make sure you read on to find out more!
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Shown with Quick Seasoned Black Beans and Easy Taco Rice.
Can I Use Chicken Breast?
Yes, you can make this with boneless, skinless chicken breast. Chicken breasts are a little more finicky, though, so you’ll need to do an extra step. Since chicken breasts dry out faster, make sure to pound your chicken breasts out to an even thickness, no more than 3/4″ thick before cooking. This will ensure that the chicken can cook all the way through quickly, without drying out.
Can I Use Bone-In Chicken?
I don’t suggest bone-in chicken for this quick skillet method, since bone-in chicken takes longer to cook through. Instead, see my Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks recipe (you can use drumsticks or thighs), which is baked in the oven.
Can I Cook the Cilantro Lime Chicken on a Grill?
Yes. Marinate the chicken as usual, then cook on the grill, until well browned and cooked through on each side. The open flame will give this chicken even more depth of flavor.
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken
My favorite side dish for Cilantro Lime Chicken is Cowboy Caviar, but it also goes great with Quick Seasoned Black Beans and Taco Rice, Cumin Lime Coleslaw, Arroz Verde (Green Rice), Sweet Corn Salsa, Pico de Gallo, or Warm Corn and Avocado Salad. You could also chop up the chicken and use it to fill tacos, or slice it and use it to top your favorite salad!
Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken
Servings 6 one thigh eachIngredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.32)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced ($0.32)
- 1/2 tsp cumin ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- freshly cracked pepper ($0.05)
- 2 limes, divided ($0.40)
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, divided ($0.40)
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1.5 to 1.75 lbs. total) ($5.11)
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper (about 10 cranks of a pepper mill) in a small bowl.
- Zest one of the limes and then squeeze the juice. You’ll need 2-3 Tbsp juice, so if needed, juice half of the second lime. Cut the remaining lime into wedges to garnish the chicken once cooked. Roughly chop the cilantro.
- Add 1 tsp of the lime zest, 2-3 Tbsp of the lime juice, and half of the chopped cilantro to the marinade. Stir to combine. (The remaining cilantro will be added fresh after cooking the chicken.)
- Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or a large zip top bag. Add the marinade and toss the chicken to coat. Allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours (refrigerated), turning it once or twice as it marinates.
- When ready to cook the chicken, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until well browned and cooked through. My chicken had enough of an oil coating from the marinade that I did not need to add any extra to the skillet.
- Top the cooked chicken with more fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve with any extra lime wedges.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
- Grater
- Small Roasting Pan
- Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
Nutrition
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Scroll down for the step by step photos!
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken – Step by Step Photos
Begin the cilantro lime marinade by combining 2 Tbsp olive oil, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper (about 10 cranks of a pepper mill) in a small bowl.
Zest and juice one of the limes. You’ll need 2-3 Tbsp of lime juice, so if needed, juice half of the second lime. Cut any remaining lime into wedges to serve with the cooked chicken. Roughly chop 1/2 bunch cilantro. Half of the cilantro will go into the marinade, the other half will be used to top the cooked chicken.
Add half of the chopped cilantro, 1 tsp lime zest, and 2-3 Tbsp of lime juice (depending on how much your lime yielded) to the marinade. Stir to combine.
Add six boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 to 1.75 pounds total) to a shallow dish or large zip top bag. Add the marinade and toss the chicken to coat. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator), turning the chicken once or twice as it marinates.
When you’re ready to cook the chicken, heat a large skillet over medium-high. You want the skillet to be nice and hot so the chicken browns and cooks quickly. If the heat is too low or the chicken is too crowded, it will get soupy and will not brown, so if needed, cook in two batches. Cook on each side for about 5 minutes, or until it’s browned and cooked through.
Add the remaining chopped cilantro to the cooked chicken.
Squeeze fresh lime over the finished chicken or serve with lime wedges so each person can squeeze their own.
That fresh pop of lime is 👌.
This meal with Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken, Quick Seasoned Black Beans, and Easy Taco Rice meal preps very well, too!
Delicious!! I was asked to make it again and will do it. I did add some onion to the marinade.
Delicious, simple dinner. I made this tonight and served it with green beans. It was a big hit.
Great flavor, used chicken breast strips instead and probably will add a dash more cumin next time(just a personal flavor preference). Served with basmati and a quick tomato salad.
This was really good. I served it with riced cauliflower and corn. Wondering what other people serve it with?
Phenomenal recipe !!!
I WILL TRY . HOPE ITS DELICIOUS
Perfect for my low carb diet. I need to make dishes without garlic for my daughter and this recipe with its bold flavors tastes great even without the garlic! Thank you, Beth!
This was a definite win at our house last night! So good and tender!
My husband wants me to make this every week. I finish the chicken in the oven to give it a nice crisp. I just got 8 pieces of chicken and it comes to about $13! I add more lime at the end and serve with cilantro lime jasmine rice.
Great and easy to make. will definitely do this one again. served with basmati and a creamy cilantro cold sauce….