Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy Cilantro Lime Chicken is a juicy grilled chicken breast recipe marinated with the peppery flavors of cilantro and bright citrus. It is seasoned with Mediterranean flavors, sweetened with a hint of honey, and easy to grill indoors or out!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email, and we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!
Elevate your chicken breasts with a quick and easy marinade that delivers utterly delicious flavor and tender, juicy chicken. You can cook the chicken on the grill, a grill pan, a heavy skillet, or even an air fryer!
Why This Recipe Works
- Marinading chicken is a quick and easy way to infuse delicious flavor into the chicken, with the added bonus of making it ultra juicy and delicious.
- Easy to grill on an outdoor grill or indoors with a grill pan or heavy skillet.
- Ready in 30 minutes, making it perfect for a delicious dinner any day of the week.
If you love quick and easy grilled chicken, this Grilled Chicken Marinade, made with chicken thighs, is equally simple and utterly delicious!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Ingredients
This super simple recipe begins with boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you could also substitute chicken thighs if you prefer. Here’s what you need for the chicken marinade:
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil
- Limes: both the zest and the juice will be used
- Fresh cilantro
- Garlic cloves
- Honey: For a delicious hint of sweetness
- Seasoning: Paprika (I’m using sweet paprika, but smoked paprika is delicious, too), ground nutmeg, cayenne for additional heat (optional but delicious), salt, and black pepper.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
Begin by marinating the chicken for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours. Then, cook it on an outdoor grill, indoors in a skillet or grill pan, or in the air fryer.
- Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, or until the internal temperature is 165℉. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Grill Pan/Skillet: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165℉. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Air Fryer: Cook the chicken in the air fryer at 380 degrees for five minutes per side.
How Long Does it Take to Marinate Chicken?
For the best results, marinate chicken as quickly as 15 minutes and up to about 2 hours. Longer marinating can degrade the texture, leaving the chicken a bit mushy. Bone-in chicken can be marinated for 15 minutes to 12 hours, and boneless, skinless chicken for up to 2 hours.
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken
This delicious grilled chicken is great with so many sides. I love to pair it with Easy Cowboy Caviar, a rice dish like coconut rice or Mexican Rice with Corn and Black Beans, grilled sweet corn, or Grilled Corn Salad with Feta.
And if I’m in the mood for more dips and salsa, I love it with 5 Minute Refried Beans or fresh salsa.
This cilantro lime chicken is great sliced from the grill or added to salads, tacos, burritos, wraps or a delicious bowl food with quick and easy 1 Minute Quinoa and topped with all the condiments you love!
How to Meal Prep the Chicken
These cilantro lime chicken breasts are perfect for meal prep and make delicious meals throughout the week. I will often double the recipe and freeze a portion for easy meals later.
Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 6-oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6-8 thighs
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 2 limes zested and juiced (3-4 tbsp juice)
- 1 cup chopped cilantro plus more for garnishing
- 3 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika or smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne optional for heat
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- Whisk together olive oil, lime juice and zest, honey, salt, paprika, nutmeg, black pepper to taste, and finely chopped cilantro. You can also use a food processor or blender for a quick and easy marinade that doesn't require chopping—reserve 1/4 cup for drizzling over cooked chicken.
- Add the remaining marinade to a bowl or gallon-size bag. Add the chicken, turn to coat, and marinate for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
To Cook in a Skillet:
- Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Drain chicken from the marinade, and place in the hot skillet.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until browned on one side. Turn the chicken over, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for another 5-6 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken) or until it's cooked through and its internal temperature is 165℉.
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, squeeze additional lime juice over the top if desired, and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
To Grill
- Grease and preheat the grill to medium heat, 375-450°F. Drain chicken from marinade, and grill for 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken, until it's cooked through and the internal temperature reads 165℉.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board, squeeze additional lime juice if desired, and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Air Fryer
- Air fry the marinated chicken in a single layer at 380℉ for 5 minutes on each side.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
SAVE THIS AND PIN IT FOR LATER!
If you are not already, you can follow me on Pinterest and keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, I would love it if you would tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!
To be notified of new recipes, subscribe to my e-mail list. It’s free, and you’ll also receive a free e-book of our reader’s favorite recipes.
We made this for our weekend gathering. Loved by all.