Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (2024)

This easy Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe is zesty and delicious! With a fresh cilantro lime marinade that is simple to make, this chicken recipe is a juicy, flavorful favorite!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (1)

Simple suppers are some of my favorites and are often a necessity around my house! Quick, easy chicken recipes that are tasty and packed full of flavor are some of my favorites! And this easy Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe certainly does not disappoint. This chicken is perfect for a quick meal, made with a simple cilantro lime marinade and then grilled to perfection, so perfect for busy nights and a crowd favorite for casual entertaining too.

Table of Contents

  • How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe Tips
  • Freezing Instructions
  • Ways to Serve Cilantro Lime Chicken
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Cilantro Lime Recipes
  • Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (2)

The key to this delicious chicken recipe begins with the cilantro lime marinade. It’s simple but gives the chicken the most amazing flavor. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can substitute with boneless chicken thighs but the thighs will cook faster than the chicken breasts, so watch them carefully.
  • Cilantro – Use chopped fresh cilantro, including the stems, for the marinade. The stems have a lot of flavor in them. Use more chopped fresh cilantro once the chicken has finished cooking. You’ll need a large bunch of fresh cilantro for the whole recipe. If you do not care for cilantro, you can use fresh flat-leaf parsley.
  • Limes – Use fresh limes for their juice and zest for the marinade, as well as limes for final preparation of the chicken before serving.
  • Cumin – Use ground cumin. Cilantro and cumin are so flavorful together in this recipe.
  • Cayenne pepper – A bit of cayenne pepper adds the perfect amount of spice to this marinade without being overpowering. You can substitute with paprika for the color without the heat if you aren’t a fan of cayenne!
  • Stone House Seasoning – My homemade seasoning blend is perfect in this mariande.
  • Olive Oil – Use a bit of extra virgin olive oil in the marinade and a bit for brushing the grill or grill pan.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (3)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prep. Add the chicken to a large zip-top freezer bag or baking dish.
  2. Mix the marinade. In a large mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup (I use my 4-cup), whisk together the ingredients to make the marinade according to the recipe.
  3. Marinate the chicken. Pour the marinade over the chicken. If using a bag, remove as much air as possible as you seal it and then place it onto a baking sheet. If using a baking dish to marinate, then cover it well with wrap or an airtight lid. Place the marinade-covered chicken in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
  4. Grill or bake. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Place chicken on the grill or a grill pan and grill as instructed. You can also bake in the oven until done. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165º F when checked with an internal meat thermometer, then remove it from the grill or oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes.
  5. Top and serve. Add fresh lime juice and cilantro to the cooked chicken for serving. Serve with lime wedges if desired.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (4)

Recipe Tips

Make Ahead! To meal prep, you can quickly whisk the marinade together in the morning and let the chicken marinate all day so that it is ready to cook when you get home in the evening.

Grill or bake! If you don’t have a grill, this dish is delicious cooked in a grill pan on the stove or in the oven too!

Freezing Instructions

  • Once cooked, allow to cool completely. Portion into a freezer-safe container(s) and freeze up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, reheat, and serve.
  • Alternately, prep the cilantro lime chicken without cooking, portion it into a freezer-safe container(s), and freeze for up to 3 months. To cook, remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, cook as instructed.
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (5)

Ways to Serve Cilantro Lime Chicken

Large Salad – I love to cut my chicken into pieces and serve as a part of a large salad platter. The salad is delicious with mixed greens, green onions, avocado, tomatoes, and homemade ranch dressing.

Wrap – Grill some tortillas and pair the chicken with some salad greens, black beans, and avocado for a delicious wrap.

Main Dish with Sides – Pair with sides like rice, black beans, or a grilled corn salad. Make some nachos by placing chicken on top of tortilla chips and other favorite ingredients like salsa and queso. It is also delicious topped with a bit of avocado salsa and served with a favorite side dish.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (6)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest amount of time chicken should marinate?

It’s a good idea to keep the marinating time under 24 hours, but two days is the maximum. The fibers in the chicken can begin to break down after two days, making it taste mushy.

Is there a type of container that is not advised to use for marinating?

Don’t use metal containers for marinating. The metal can react to the acid in the marinade. Use glass or plastic instead.

How long is raw chicken good in the refrigerator?

Raw chicken is good for one to two days in kept in the refrigerator. If you aren’t able to cook it on day two, your best bet is to go ahead and wrap it properly and freeze it.

How do I know if my chicken is done?

Use a meat thermometer and make sure it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t guess whether chicken is done or not – give it a quick check with the thermometer!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (7)

More Cilantro Lime Recipes

Cilantro Lime Rice

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad

Hamburger Sliders with Cilantro Lime Spread

Here’s my quick Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe. I think you’ll love it!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (8)

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 2 votes

This easy Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe is zesty and delicious! With a cilantro lime marinade that is simple to make, this chicken recipe is a juicy, flavorful favorite!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Marinate: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped and divided
  • 5 limes, juice and zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • pinch cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, + more if brushing grill or grill pan

Instructions

  • If using oven, preheat to 375 degrees.

  • Add chicken to a zip top freezer bag or large baking dish.

  • Whisk together 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime zest, 1/4 cup lime juice, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, Stone House Seasoning, and olive oil. Pour over the chicken.

    Remove as much air as possible as you seal the bag and place on a baking sheet to catch any drips; or if using a baking dish to marinate, cover with wrap.

    Store the marinade-covered chicken in the refrigerator for at least an hour, but no more than 24 hours to marinate.

  • To cook, preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat. Brush with olive oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade, and place onto the grill or grill pan. Cook for 3 minutes on one side and then turn and cook 3 additional minutes, turning the chicken to grill if necessary until it's done. Don't crowd the chicken in the grill pan as want it to cook quickly and not be so much that it steams.

    If using oven, place baking dish with chicken (having discarded the marinade) and cook at 375 degrees about 20 minutes or until done.

    Cook until the chicken reaches 165º F when checked with an internal meat thermometer.

  • Transfer the chicken to a platter and top with 1 tablespoon more of lime juice and remaining chopped cilantro. Serve.

Notes

Freezing Instructions

  • Once cooked, allow to cool completely. Portion into freezer-safe container(s) and freeze up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, reheat and serve.
  • Alternately, prep the cilantro lime chicken without cooking, portion into freezer-safe container(s) and freeze up to 3 months. To cook, remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, cook as instructed.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 716mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, By Cooking Style, By Special Diets, Camping, Chicken Recipes, Cooking, Dinner Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Freezer Meal Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, July 4th Recipes, Paleo Recipes, Recipes, Simple Recipes, Sugar-Free Recipes

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you put lime on chicken before or after cooking? ›

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.

How long to soak chicken in lime water? ›

Marinating time - Lime juice will make the surface of skin white with 24 hour marinating time but it won't break down the surface. 12 hours minimum to really get the lime flavour into the chicken. 48 hrs is the max marinating time - after this, chicken will start to break down.

What does lime juice do to chicken? ›

Lime juice adds a zesty and tangy kick to the chicken, making it a versatile ingredient for a wide range of dishes. Whether you're grilling, baking, or sautéing your chicken, marinating it in lime juice can elevate the overall taste and texture of the meat.

How to make chicken better? ›

Here are 7 tricks to make chicken breasts taste better and even totally delicious.
  1. Cook them right. Most people get scared and overcook chicken breasts, cooking out all the moisture and leaving them tough and dry. ...
  2. Marinate them. ...
  3. Cut them thin. ...
  4. Fry them. ...
  5. Stuff them. ...
  6. Shred them. ...
  7. Use the right pan.

Can you put lime on raw chicken? ›

After briefly rinsing off the chicken, add a generous amount of salt, a splash of vinegar, and several limes cut in half. Use the lime and its juices to scrub the surface of each individual piece of chicken. This helps to remove the slime and film off the chicken.

Do you water before or after applying lime? ›

You can also apply lime in early spring. Don't apply lime when your lawn is frost-covered or wilted. And always water the lawn after applying the lime to wash the lime off the grass blades and allow it to make contact with the soil.

Can you marinate chicken too long in lime juice? ›

The reason you do not want to marinate chicken for longer than 4 hours is that the acidic ingredients in the marinade (like vinegar, wine, or lemon juice) will begin to break down the structure of the meat too much and it will start to “cook” before ever touching a heat source.

Can you soak chicken too long? ›

Can I Marinate Chicken for Too Long? The USDA recommends not keeping poultry in marinade for longer than two days, as it's possible that the marinade will start breaking down the meat's fibers and cause it to become mushy. A good rule of thumb is to keep marinating time under 24 hours.

What does lime and vinegar do to chicken? ›

Washing raw poultry in a diluted lemon juice or vinegar solution is an inefficient method for removing pathogens and results in pathogens both in the wash water and on the chicken, increasing the risk for cross contamination and potential foodborne illness.

Why do you rub lime on chicken? ›

Do you put lime on chicken before or after cooking? You can do both! Adding lime to a marinade serves as a flavor powerhouse, infusing the meat with a burst of citrusy brightness. The acidity of lime also plays a crucial role in tenderizing the meat, resulting in a more succulent and juicy chicken.

Why do Jamaicans wash chicken? ›

In some cultures around the world, such as those in the Caribbean — where I live — washing meat is a common practice that's considered an indicator of cleanliness in the kitchen. Acidic agents like lemon juice or white vinegar are typically included in the process.

Why do you put a lemon in a chicken? ›

The benefits of the hot steaming lemon going into the chicken are very obvious as the meat tastes amazing, and the chicken cooks slightly quicker because of it. Rub the chicken inside and out with a generous amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

What gives chicken the most flavor? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

Should you add lime during or after cooking? ›

Adding lime juice too early can even make your dish bitter and discolored. To ensure your dish bursts with lime flavor without hiccups, add the lime juice after taking the dish off the heat. Similarly, if you're using lime zest, sprinkle it in during the last few minutes of cooking to maintain that zesty freshness.

Do you put lemon juice on chicken before or after cooking? ›

Fip the chicken in the pan, then add fresh lemon juice, chicken stock, and more lemon zest to the skillet. Stir to scrape any stuck bits from the bottom of the pan, slide it into the oven, and bake until the chicken is cooked through (about 30 minutes).

How do you use lime for chickens? ›

After your coop is clean, sprinkle a light coating of lime across the floor. Lime can be put on the ground or placed on flooring underneath shavings or other bedding. Leave the lime in place to continue to fight odors. Add more lime whenever you clean out your coop or smell the odor returning.

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