I prepared a Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken that bursts with flavor and bright aromas. With four tender chicken breasts marinated in olive oil, fresh lime juice, and garlic, every bite delivers a refreshing hit of cilantro and a lively zing of lime zest. It’s my new favorite weeknight treat.

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I’ve always been a fan of dishes that pack a punch of flavor and Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken is no exception. I first tried this recipe on a sunny day when I just wanted something fresh to spice up my weeknight dinner.

I marinated 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a mix of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, lime zest, and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, along with minced garlic, salt, black pepper and a little cumin for an extra kick. Whether I grill it, bake it or fry it up, the vibrant taste totally elevates simple chicken to a new level.

What really excites me is that it can be prepped in as little as 30 minutes to a full 48 hours ahead if you want a deeper flavor. Its versatility means it works great for BBQs, meal preps, tacos and salads.

Enjoy experimenting with this dish as much as I do!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it lets me be super flexible in how I cook the chicken. I can grill, bake, or even fry it and every way tastes damn good. I also appreciate that the flavors are so fresh – the lime and cilantro give it a bright kick that I just can’t get enough of. Plus, it’s really simple to put together which means I don’t have to stress about complicated steps when im busy. And lastly, because i can serve it with almost any side like tacos or salads, it always feels like i’m trying something new while still keeping it healthy and low carb.

Ingredients

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Chicken: lean protein that fuels muscles and gives a hearty bite
Olive oil: provides healthy fats, adds moisture, and boosts overall flavor
Fresh lime juice: offers a tangy sour kick and balances the savory notes
Lime zest: intensifies the citrus aroma for a burst of extra flavor
Cilantro: a fresh herb that adds brightness and a unique, lively taste
Garlic: aromatic and flavorful while adding subtle health benefits

Ingredient Quantities

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

Zest from 1 lime

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)

How to Make this

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1. In a large bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, the zest from 1 lime, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin if you want that extra kick.

2. Place the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bowl and coat them well with the marinade.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes; you can marinate it up to 48 hours if you’re planning ahead.

4. When you’re ready to cook, choose your method: grill, bake, or fry.

5. For grilling, preheat your grill to medium high heat and cook the chicken about 6-8 minutes per side until it’s fully done.

6. If you decide to bake it, preheat your oven to 375°F and bake the chicken in a greased baking dish for around 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

7. If frying, heat a bit more olive oil in a pan over medium high heat and cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side.

8. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.

9. Serve it up with your favorite sides like tacos, salads, or even on top of a BBQ platter.

10. Enjoy your meal and don’t forget to add any extra lime or cilantro on top for more flavor if you like.

Equipment Needed

1. A large bowl for mixing the marinade and chicken.
2. Measuring cups and spoons to portion out olive oil, lime juice, and spices.
3. A citrus zester or grater to get the lime zest.
4. A cutting board and a knife for chopping cilantro and mincing garlic.
5. Plastic wrap to cover the bowl during the marination process.
6. A cooking option: a grill, an oven, or a frying pan depending on how you choose to cook the chicken.
7. A baking dish if you decide to bake the chicken.
8. Tongs or a spatula to flip the chicken during cooking.
9. A meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

FAQ

How long should I marinate the chicken?

It's best to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors soak in, but you can marinate for up to 2 hours if you have time.

Can i make this recipe in advance?

Sure! You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just be sure to cook it on the day you plan to serve it.

Do i need to use cumin?

Cumin is optional, so if you dont like that flavor or dont have it, you can just leave it out without hurting the overall taste of the dish.

What’s a good way to cook the chicken?

You can grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken. Grilling gives it a smoky flavor while baking keeps it tender and juicy.

Can i substitute other herbs for cilantro?

If you arent a fan of cilantro, try using fresh parsley or basil. The flavor will change a bit but the chicken will still taste awesome.

Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you can’t find boneless, skinless chicken breasts, try using boneless chicken thighs or even turkey cutlets for a similar taste.
If you’re out of olive oil, you could use avocado oil or canola oil instead.
If fresh limes aren’t available, bottled lime juice or even lemon juice works fine in a pinch.
Not a fan of cilantro? Chopped fresh parsley is a good substitute for that fresh herby flavor.
If you don’t have fresh garlic, a pinch of garlic powder can be used, just around 1/8 teaspoon for each clove.

Pro Tips

1. Try marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes if you can, since letting it sit overnight in the fridge can really bring out a richer flavor profile.
2. Before you start cooking, let the chicken come to room temperature for about 20 minutes; this helps it cook more evenly and avoids a dry texture.
3. When grilling, make sure your grill and the grates are really hot and lightly oiled, so you get some good char marks without the chicken sticking.
4. If you end up baking or frying, keep a meat thermometer handy so you don’t overcook—the ideal temperature should be around 165°F and a quick rest afterwards locks in the juices.

Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

Recipe by James Level

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

406

kcal

Equipment: 1. A large bowl for mixing the marinade and chicken.
2. Measuring cups and spoons to portion out olive oil, lime juice, and spices.
3. A citrus zester or grater to get the lime zest.
4. A cutting board and a knife for chopping cilantro and mincing garlic.
5. Plastic wrap to cover the bowl during the marination process.
6. A cooking option: a grill, an oven, or a frying pan depending on how you choose to cook the chicken.
7. A baking dish if you decide to bake the chicken.
8. Tongs or a spatula to flip the chicken during cooking.
9. A meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
Zest from 1 lime
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, the zest from 1 lime, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin if you want that extra kick.
Place the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bowl and coat them well with the marinade.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes; you can marinate it up to 48 hours if you’re planning ahead.
When you're ready to cook, choose your method: grill, bake, or fry.
For grilling, preheat your grill to medium high heat and cook the chicken about 6-8 minutes per side until it’s fully done.
If you decide to bake it, preheat your oven to 375°F and bake the chicken in a greased baking dish for around 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
If frying, heat a bit more olive oil in a pan over medium high heat and cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side.
Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve it up with your favorite sides like tacos, salads, or even on top of a BBQ platter.
Enjoy your meal and don’t forget to add any extra lime or cilantro on top for more flavor if you like.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 220g
Total number of serves: 4
Calories: 406kcal
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Polyunsaturated: 2g
Monounsaturated: 10g
Cholesterol: 130mg
Sodium: 360mg
Potassium: 600mg
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0.5g
Sugar: 0.5g
Protein: 52g
Vitamin A: 50IU
Vitamin C: 10mg
Calcium: 20mg
Iron: 1mg

Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

Why I Like this Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantities

How to Make this

Equipment Needed

FAQ

Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pro Tips