Description
Cilantro lime chicken delivers a zesty Mexican-inspired main course perfect for weeknight dinners. Marinated chicken breasts grill to juicy perfection with bold, fresh flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 limes, juice and zest
- 3 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- ¾ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Blend lime juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, honey, chili powder, pepper flakes, cumin, and seasoning in a mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and aromatic flavor base.
- Marinade Reservation: Set aside three tablespoons of the marinade for later glazing, preserving its intense taste profile.
- Chicken Marination: Completely coat chicken thighs in the remaining marinade, allowing them to absorb flavors at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to two hours for deeper infusion.
- Searing Process: Ignite a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, carefully placing marinated chicken thighs to develop a golden, crispy exterior during initial five-minute cooking phase.
- Final Cooking and Resting: Continue cooking chicken for additional six to eight minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat, let rest briefly, then brush with reserved marinade and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and lime wedges for a zesty finish.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Reserve a portion of marinade before adding raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination and use as a flavor-boosting sauce after cooking.
- Temperature Matters: Let chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and more consistent cooking results.
- Sear for Success: Use a cast iron skillet for maximum caramelization and flavor development, creating a deliciously crispy exterior on the chicken.
- Rest and Refresh: Allow cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to help juices redistribute, ensuring tender and moist meat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours
- Cook Time: 11 to 13 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 228 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg