This easy cilantro lime chicken marinade infuses chicken breasts or thighs with bold, bright, zesty flavor. Grill or bake for a juicy, delicious meal perfect for any occasion!
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If you’re looking for even more chicken marinade recipes, be sure to try this popular chicken thigh marinade, this marinated Italian chicken, and a 5-minute Tuscan chicken marinade, too!
A Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights
This family-friendly, crowd-pleasing recipe has quickly become one of our favorite chicken marinades for so many reasons. First, it comes together quickly with about 10 minutes of prep. You can make it in advance, and you can cook the chicken on a grill or in the oven — whichever suits your schedule. Save some money with budget-friendly chicken thighs, or use white meat chicken breasts. Either way, you’ll have tender, juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Success
- Zest the limes before slicing and juicing them.
- When zesting the lime, make sure that you only scrape off the thin outer layer of the peel (not the bitter white pith below). I use a microplane for this step.
- I’ve shown boneless chicken thighs here. If you prefer, you can sub with boneless chicken breasts. You’ll find cooking directions for both of these options in the recipe card below.
- Do not leave the chicken in the marinade for more than 8 hours, since the acid in the marinade can break down the proteins excessively, leading to an undesirable texture.
- It’s tough to beat the smoky flavor of grilled cilantro lime chicken; however, you can certainly roast the marinated chicken in an oven as well.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Marinade
We love this easy marinade because it comes together quickly with just a handful of simple ingredients and yields the most incredible, bright flavor. You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients.
- Combine the chicken, cilantro, and marinade in a bowl or bag.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but not longer than 8 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade.
- Grill (or bake) until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. In general, this will take about 6-7 minutes per side for thighs or 10-12 minutes for larger, thicker boneless chicken breasts. It’s important to note, though, that the total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken and on the temperature of the meat when it goes onto the grill. As a result, an instant read meat thermometer is always the best way to know when your chicken is done.
- Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh lime wedges, an extra squeeze of lime juice, extra cilantro leaves, and/or diced avocados.
Serving Suggestions
Use the cilantro lime chicken in tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or burritos, and on salads, burrito bowls, or rice bowls. It’s delicious with rice, corn, tortilla chips, salsa, pico de gallo, black bean and corn salad, Jiffy Mexican cornbread, jalapeno cheddar cornbread, easy coleslaw dressing, and this easy guacamole recipe. Then, finish your meal with one bowl brownies. Use leftovers to make sandwiches on jalapeno cheddar bread!
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Prep Ahead: Whisk together the marinade up to 3 days in advance. Add it to the chicken and cilantro in the morning before you head off to work. When you walk in the door tired at the end of the day, you just need to bake or grill the meat and dinner is served!
- How to Store: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- How to Freeze Chicken Thighs in a Marinade: you can prepare this recipe as a freezer meal or for your weekly meal prep by placing the raw chicken thighs in a large Ziploc freezer bag with the marinade. Squeeze out all of the air from the bag, lay the bag flat, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use the chicken, place the bag in the refrigerator to thaw overnight before cooking according to the recipe instructions.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- ¼ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- In a large measuring cup or in a jar with a lid, whisk (or shake) together the lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, kosher salt, black pepper, cumin, and red pepper flakes until completely combined.
- Place the chicken and cilantro in a large Ziploc bag or bowl. Pour the marinade in the bag with the chicken and cilantro; toss gently to combine. Seal the top of the bag and place the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours).
- Remove the chicken from the bag or bowl and discard the marinade.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 400-450°F). Place the chicken directly on the grill grates and grill until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F, about 6-7 minutes per side for thighs or 10-12 minutes for larger, thicker boneless chicken breasts.
Notes
Nutrition
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Picky husband and 5 year old approved – who normally “don’t like cilantro.” This was SO good and will now be a staple in our rotation. Used the oven method with thighs; chicken was tender, juicy, and flavorful – with just an hour of marinating. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Wonderful! I’m so glad that it’s a hit, Carolyn. Thank you for letting me know!