Description
Cilantro Lime Chicken is a flavorful grilled dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts or thighs marinated in a zesty blend of lime juice, garlic, honey, and fresh cilantro. Perfectly seasoned with paprika, salt, and pepper, this easy-to-make recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a delightful summer barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 medium boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, honey, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed to create a vibrant marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the boneless chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade. Toss to fully coat the chicken pieces. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or for up to 12 hours to maximize flavor and tenderness.
- Preheat the grill: When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the leftover marinade. Preheat your grill to medium heat, ensuring it’s ready for cooking.
- Grill the chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the preheated grill. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes on each side, rotating once, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and has a lovely grilled char.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the grilled chicken from the heat and let it rest briefly. Serve warm, garnished with extra cilantro or lime wedges if desired, and enjoy your flavorful cilantro lime chicken.
Notes
- For best results, marinate chicken for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Boneless chicken thighs will yield a juicier result compared to breasts.
- If grilling is not available, this recipe can be adapted for stovetop cooking in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
