This recipe for cilantro lime chicken is marinated grilled chicken that’s topped with a zesty cilantro lime sauce. The perfect quick and easy way to spice up your grilled chicken!
You can never go wrong with grilled chicken recipes! My family loves chicken caprese, chicken fajita foil packets, and this fresh and delicious cilantro lime chicken.
I am a grilling fiend lately, it’s just that time of the year! Chicken is the protein of choice in my family and I have grilled dozens of chicken breasts in the past month. I felt like it was time to switch things up a bit so I created this cilantro lime chicken recipe. The chicken marinates in a flavorful cilantro, olive oil and lime mixture and half of the unused marinade is reserved to sauce the chicken after it’s cooked. Plain chicken goes from boring to fabulous in no time at all! If you love flavorful chicken, you should also try my Greek chicken kabobs.
Table of Contents
Cilantro Lime Chicken Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need chicken breasts, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, extra virgin olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and black pepper.
How Do You Make Cilantro Lime Chicken?
Place the lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until you have a mostly smooth sauce. Pour half of the sauce into a resealable gallon size bag, and add the chicken breasts to the bag. Seal the bag, then shake to coat all the chicken in the marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Reserve the rest of the sauce to use later on.
Remove the chicken from the bag, and grill it until it’s golden brown. Brush the rest of the sauce over the chicken, then serve and enjoy!
Tips For The Perfect Chicken
- I like to use thin cut boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe as they cook quickly. You can also use chicken breast tenders or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- The cilantro lime sauce can be made up to one day before you plan to use it, just stir it back together if it separates from being in the fridge.
- You can use an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan for this recipe. I typically use an indoor grill pan in the colder months.
- Leftovers will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Serve your chicken with side dishes such as black beans and rice, grilled vegetables or roasted red potatoes.
Quick Tip
If you don’t have a blender, you can also make the sauce in a food processor.
Recipe FAQs
You can marinate chicken in lime for up to 24 hours. After that point, the acid in the citrus can change the texture of the chicken. I recommend marinating chicken for a minimum of 2 hours.
The best way to make chicken juicy is to use a marinade and be sure not to overcook it. I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken cooks to exactly 165 degrees F.
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Flavor Variations
This recipe is great as-is, but you can easily customize the flavors to your taste.
- Protein: Try using flank steak, shrimp, pork tenderloin or salmon instead of chicken.
- Sauce: You can add other ingredients to the sauce such as dill, chives, soy sauce and red pepper flakes.
This cilantro chicken is easy enough to make on a busy weeknight. Your whole family will love this dinner, and you’ll love how simple it is to make!
More Great Chicken Recipes
Roasted Chicken with Garlic and Herbs
1 hr 30 mins
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
30 mins
Grilled Chicken Tenders
15 mins
Mango Chicken
30 mins
Chicken Souvlaki
40 mins
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Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts I prefer to use thin chicken breasts for this recipe
- 3 limes zested and juiced
- 1 cup packed of cilantro leaves and stems
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- Cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Place the lime zest and juice, cilantro, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and pepper in a blender. Blend for 1 minute or until sauce is smooth.
- Divide the sauce in half. Pour half of the sauce into a resealable bag. Add the chicken and seal the bag; shake to coat the chicken in the marinade. Place the remaining sauce in the refrigerator.
- Marinate the chicken for 2-8 hours.
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- After the chicken is cooked, brush the remaining sauce over the chicken. Serve any leftover sauce on the side for dipping.
- Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs if desired.
Notes
- I like to use thin cut boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe as they cook quickly. You can also use chicken breast tenders or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- The cilantro lime sauce can be made up to one day before you plan to use it, just stir it back together if it separates from being in the fridge.
- You can use an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan for this recipe. I typically use an indoor grill pan in the colder months.
Love this recipe with chicken thighs. My 2 year old loves it. X
This was a big hit at our house. Thanks for the great recipe. It was so simple and yummy!
Wow this looks so yummy.
My mouth is melting.
can I make with boneless thighs ?? I prefer dark meat chicken
Yes that will work!
I added ginger and chillies and the family loved it will be making it again
I adore cilantro and lime, it’s the zingiest combo ever!
Cilantro and lime are my favourite summer time flavours and I’ve never thought to put them on chicken! This looks fantastic, Sara!
Love the idea of a marinade and sauce in one. Cilantro and lime are great flavors that taste great together. This is a “must try” recipe.
So fresh and flavor packed! Another chicken recipe to bookmark and try real soon!
This is such a classic and great recipe! I am a cilantro lover and can never get enough! I make my own version in the summer, but just may have to try this!
What a great looking chicken dish! Time to get out the blender!
There are never enough chicken recipes. This sounds wonderful and I love the color of the sauce!
Wow I love anything that uses cilantro! These look mouthwatering yummy!
Wow I love lime and cilantro so I know this is for me! Love the color too – and it looks so juicy. Thanks for this lovely recipe!
Beautiful chicken and love the summery flavours!