Published by Sheena Strain, last updated
Recipe
Cilantro Lime Chicken is quick to whip up and with such a classic flavor combination it’s really hard to beat! The chicken marinade is easy to make and you can either grill, bake the chicken, or cook it in a skillet. Once cooked it keeps for several days in the fridge, or you can freeze it.
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How to make Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken
Start by adding all the marinade ingredients including the cilantro leaves, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil to your blender and whizz it up until smooth.
If you do not have a blender you can make it if you very finely chop the cilantro leaves and garlic.
Next, add the marinade to a large bag or bowl that can accommodate all the chicken pieces and turn them over several times so that they are well coated.
Marinate the Chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to four hours in the fridge.
Once you are ready to cook it you can choose to cook it on a grill, in a cast iron grill pan skillet, or in the oven.
Cilantro Lime Chicken FAQ’s
Can I use Chicken Breast? Yes, you can but you will need to pound the chicken breast to get an even thickness (to less than 1″ thick) or it may take too long to cook in a skillet and you risk having it dry out while it cooks.
Can I use Bone in Chicken thighs? Yes you can use bone in thighs, I recommend you remove the skin before marinating for best results. I would use either the oven baked method, or cook them on a grill over the hottest part first to sear them for two to three minutes per side, then finish them by using the indirect method of cooking that’s not directly over the hot coals or flames.
Can I use dried Cilantro? I’m sorry, but I don’t advise that. Dried cilantro has far less flavor than fresh and I just don’t think it’s a good substitute for this recipe.
How Long will this keep? Once cooked it should be good in your fridge for about three to four days.
What can I serve it with? To keep it low carb and Keto friendly we love to serve it my Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Arroz Con Pollo
- Instant Pot Chicken Risotto
- Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Wings with Buffalo Style Sauce and Blue Cheese Dip
- Thai Coconut Chicken Soup (Tom Kha Gai)
- Lemon Thyme Chicken
- Low Carb Lo Mein
- Gluten Free Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken Saltimbocca
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken with deliciously tasty marinade, low in carbs and perfect for keto, paleo, and whole30 diets.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Marinate: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 minutes
Total Carbs: 1 g
Net Carbs: 4 g
Protein: 22 g
Servings: 8
4.96 from 46 votes
Ingredients
- 8Boneless skinless chicken thighs , about 2lb
MARINADE
- 1cupcilantro leaves, packed, measure un-chopped leaves, about 1/2 bunch
- 1tsplime zest
- 1/4cuplime juice, about 3 limes
- 3clovesgarlic, chopped
- 1tspcumin
- 1tspsalt
- 1tspblack pepper
- 3tbspolive oil
Garnish
- cilantro leaves
- lime wedges
Instructions
Add all the marinade ingredients to a blender, and pulse until smooth.
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or ziplock bag and add in the marinade and ensure that the chicken is evenly coated.
Let it marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Stove Top Method
Heat a cast iron grill pan on a medium high heat and brush with olive oil
Grill each piece of chicken for about 5 minutes per side or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, check using a digital meat thermometer. (I do not recommend this method for cooking bone in thighs, use the oven or the grill.)
Oven Baked Method
Preheat your oven to 375°F
Bake the marinated boneless skinless chicken thighs for 25-30 minutes, Bone in thighs usually take about 45 minutes to cook.
Check that they are fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F by using a digital meat thermometer.
Grilling Method
Sear the chicken pieces for about two to three minutes per side over the hottest part of the grill first.
You may need to move the chicken to the less hot part off the grill to finish cooking it, especially if you are using bone in thighs as they will take longer to cook than boneless skinless or pounded thin chicken breast and may burn before they are fully cooked if left over the hottest part of the grill.
Boneless skinless thighs may take about 4-5 mins per side to cook, bone in thighs can take up to 15 minutes per side.
Check that it is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F using a digital meat thermometer.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition – Serving size is one boneless skinless chicken thigh, net carbs are less than 1g per serving.
Marinate Time – For best results try to marinate it for at least thirty minutes or up to four hour.
Storage – cooked cilantro lime chicken will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for three to four days.
Nutrition Facts
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Amount Per Serving (119 g)
Calories 187Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 107mg36%
Sodium 393mg17%
Potassium 305mg9%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 162IU3%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutritional information on Noshtastic is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Author: Sheena | Noshtastic
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:American
About Sheena Strain
Sheena Strain is the proud owner of Noshtastic, a gluten free website that specializes in easy family meals including Low Carb, Keto, Paleo, Whole30, and many pressure cooker recipes.
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Janet Cooley says
What about using beef? If so, any recommendations?
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Sheena Strain says
Never tried it with beef, but the flavors might be nice on a grilled steak
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Jenn says
This recipe was delicious!! I made it with bone in thighs. Was a huge win for me.Reply
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