Cilantro-Lime Chicken
– made with hearty chicken thighs or lean chicken breasts which are
soaked in a fresh and vibrant cilantro-lime, and garlic seasoned
marinade. Chicken is then grilled or pan-seared to golden brown
perfection!
Cilantro-Lime Chicken
- Servings: 6
- Prep Time 15 minutes
- Cook Time 10 minutes
- Marinating Time 1 hour
- Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed of excess fat*
- 1 Tbsp lime zest
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus 1 Tbsp more for garnish
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp honey**
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- To make marinade: In a mixing bowl whisk together lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, honey, cumin and salt and pepper to taste (I use 1 1/4 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper - not included in nutrition estimate as this is per personal preference).
- Place chicken thighs in a gallon size resealable bag, pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag while pressing out excess air. Rub marinade over chicken until it cilantro appears more evenly distributed.
- Let marinate 1 hour in refrigerator (or up to 8 hours for thighs 4 hours for breasts).
- Grill instructions: Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat (about 425 degrees). Remove chicken from marinade (I like to brush most of the cilantro off as it just turns to an unappetizing color and it's already seasoned the chicken). Grill chicken thighs until center reaches 165 degrees, about 5 - 6 minutes per side.
- Stovetop instructions: Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, wipe excess marinade and cilantro off. Cook chicken thighs in skillet until 165 in center, about 5 - 7 minutes per side.
- Serve chicken warm garnished with 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro.
Recipe Notes
*Boneless skinless chicken breasts may be used as well. Use about 6 oz. breasts, pound to an even thickness. Grill about 3 1/2 - 4 minutes per side or just to 165 in center.
*If you opt to cook thighs in a skillet then omit this ingredient, it is just added to promote browning on the grill. Thighs will brown plenty in a skillet.
