Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

Cilantro Lime Chicken is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner recipe that cooks up in less than 30 minutes. Just toss together this fast marinade at least 30 minutes beforehand and you’re ready to grill! Like our Marinated Grilled Chicken, Baked Chicken Breasts, and Baked Chicken Tenderloins, this is an easy recipe for juicy, flavorful chicken, never dry!

I’m always looking for recipes that are healthy and my entire family will love, and this Cilantro Lime Chicken is the absolute best! Tart lime combines with garlic and loads of cilantro to make a marinade that makes this chicken turn out packed with flavor!

Why I love this recipe

• you don’t need to marinate a long time before cooking
• it’s a guilt-free meal
• you can make it on the grill or in the oven
• the leftovers are great on a salad or chopped in tacos or nachos
• it’s packed with flavor like our sheet pan chicken fajitas with cilantro lime sauce

Ingredients

• limes
• extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt
• pepper
• garlic
• red pepper flakes
• cilantro
• chicken breasts – you can also use bone-in chicken but will need to adjust cooking time

Step by step

This is thankfully a very easy recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

1. First, pound the chicken to 3/4 inch thickness.
2. In a small bowl combine all ingredients but the chicken.  Mix well and pour over chicken in a large dish or gallon plastic bag.  Refrigerate up at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
3. When ready to cook remove from marinade and grill over medium-high heat for 6 minutes per side or until interior temperature reaches 170 degrees.

Tips for success

• fresh squeezed lime juice is best but bottled can be used in a pinch
• always check the chicken temperature is cooked to 165°F to ensure it is done
• don’t marinate longer than 2 hours or acid in the lime juice will start to “cook” the chicken

Serving Suggestions

There a so many great sides for cilantro lime chicken. I like to serve mine with pico de gallo and chopped avocado on top. Roasted peppers or Cowboy Caviar also pair really well with this I add butter cilantro rice on the side for my husband and three boys.

I love that this is a fast recipe for busy days, just marinate ahead of time and dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes! (Click here for more 30 Minute Recipes!)

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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This recipe was originally shared in February 2015 and updated with new photos and additional information in November 2019.