Cilantro Lime Chicken (Print version)

Zesty chicken in lime-cilantro marinade, ideal for grilling.

# What goes in:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)

→ Marinade

02 - 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
03 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
11 - Zest of 1 lime

→ To Serve

12 - Extra lime wedges
13 - Fresh cilantro leaves
14 - Cooked rice, tortillas, or salad

# Cooking steps:

01 - Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or a shallow dish to prepare for marinating.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lime zest until the mixture is well combined.
03 - Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor.
04 - Preheat the grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
05 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Grill or pan-sear the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
07 - Serve the chicken with extra lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and your choice of sides such as rice, tortillas, or salad.

# Tips from flavorandfeast:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in minutes but tastes like you marinated it all day.
  • It is incredibly versatile and works perfectly on the grill or in a hot skillet.
02 -
  • Patting the chicken dry before searing helps achieve beautiful grill marks and better browning.
  • Do not let the chicken sit in the lime marinade for more than four hours or the texture will become mushy.
03 -
  • Using chicken thighs is a great alternative if you prefer darker meat with more natural moisture.
  • Let the grill or skillet get fully hot before adding the meat to prevent sticking.

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