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Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

This Cilantro Lime Chicken is the easiest recipe for chicken, and it can be grilled, cooked in a skillet, or baked in the oven. The marinade is bursting with flavor and results in juicy and tender chicken every time! This Mexican-inspired recipe will become a favorite.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 377
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs, (4 small/medium chicken breasts)*
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 Tbsp cilantro finely chopped, plus more to garnish
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground paprika
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 lime cut into wedges for serving

Method
 

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
  1. In a bowl, combine oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, pepper, paprika, and honey for the marinade.
  2. Add the chicken to the mixture and allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours then cook the chicken either on the grill, in a skillet, or bake it in the oven (see instructions below). Once it's cooked, serve with lime wedges and garnish with more cilantro if desired.
How to Grill Chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Cover and grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, or until cooked through*.
To Cook Chicken in a Skillet
  1. Set a large non-stick, non-reactive skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil and sautee chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through*, depending on the thickness of your chicken. If your chicken is very thick, cover the chicken with a lid after you flip it.
How to Bake Chicken
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the chicken breast on a lined baking sheet or large casserole dish. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.

Notes

If chicken breasts are uneven in size, set them between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness. This will help to tenderize the chicken and cook it faster and more evenly. 
*Chicken breast should be cooked until it reaches 165˚F at the thickest part on an instant-read thermometer.