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Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

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4 from 87 reviews

This Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant blend of lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, and honey, then pan-cooked to perfection in a skillet. Fresh cilantro adds a bright herbal note, making it a flavorful and easy dinner option perfect for any day of the week.

  • Total Time: 40-50 minutes (including marinating time, minimum 30 minutes)
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

Marinade

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice (from 2 limes)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro (measure after chopping)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Garnish

  • Additional fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Pound the Chicken: Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken thighs until they are no thicker than 1 inch. Carefully trim any excess fat from the chicken.
  2. Mix the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together avocado oil, finely minced garlic, cumin, paprika, fresh lime juice, lime zest, honey, salt, and black pepper. Add the chopped cilantro and whisk until fully combined.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Add the pounded chicken thighs to the marinade and toss until each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, flipping halfway through if marinating less than one hour. If marinating overnight, flip the chicken multiple times for even absorption of flavors.
  4. Heat the Skillet: Place a large stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Allow it to get hot before cooking the chicken.
  5. Cook the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place the thighs in a single layer in the skillet. It’s okay if pieces touch slightly as they will shrink during cooking. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 7-8 minutes.
  6. Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the chicken thighs and cook uncovered for an additional 7-8 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
  7. Serve: Plate the chicken immediately, garnish with additional fresh cilantro, and enjoy while hot.

Notes

  • Fresh vs packaged: Whenever possible, avoid using prepackaged or old versions of lime juice, garlic, or cilantro for the best flavor.
  • Juicing: Use a handheld citrus juicer to extract the most juice from the limes.
  • Cilantro: Measure the chopped cilantro properly after chopping to ensure correct quantity in the recipe.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-16 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/cilantro-lime-chicken-recipe/