Cilantro lime chicken is very quick and full of amazing flavors! Chicken thighs marinated with cilantro, lime juice, liquid smoke, red chili, cumin, taco seasoning and garlic. These simple ingredients turn dull chicken thighs into a mouth-watering dish.Pan-sear, grill or bake the chicken with this super easy recipe! The result won’t disappoint you!
Serve with side dishes such as Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Brown rice.
JUICY SUCCULENT CHICKEN THIGHS
Smoky, juicy, tender pan-seared & baked chicken thighs with an incredible marinade is sure to become one of your family’s absolute favorite chicken recipes. This Mexican sauce (with a little twist) will make you lick your plates clean. Best of all it is very easy and is done in one skillet. Forget about dirty pans and pots!
CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN WITH CHICKEN THIGHS OR CHICKEN BREAST?
I recommend to use the tastiest part of chicken-chicken thighs, but even chicken breasts will work. Here in Dubai we can buy tender chicken breasts that are juicy and tender. Whether you will bake or grill chicken, it will be done when its internal temperature gets to 165 F /75C.
CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN MARINADE
This marinade brings chicken to the next level.
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- Cilantro- refreshing, herbal taste of cilantro will balance citrusy lime juice. Moreover, cilantro+lime juice+ garlic is a common Mexican combination. I don’t advise to substitute cilantro with fresh parsley.
- Lime juice- the recipe calls for fresh lime juice, its flavor is much more intense than the bottled variety. I used a hand juicer to squeeze limes, about 3 medium-sized limes to get 1/3 cup of lime juice. You can squeeze with your hands.
- Liquid smoke– not everybody has access to a grill or smoker, but if you want to get that smoky flavor, use ¼- ¾ tsp. of liquid smoke.
- Garlic- garlic goes really well with cilantro, and helps to boost the flavor of the marinade.
- Red chili flakes– If you hate spicy food, leave it out.
- Brown sugar- Don’t have brown sugar! Use palm sugar or honey. It helps to balance the citrusy hit from lime juice.
- Taco seasoning– I love to add 1 tsp. to my marinade. You can leave it out.
- Cumin
WHAT GOES WELL WITH CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN?
I love to serve it over INSTANT POT JASMINE RICE.
Like chicken? Try CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE, LEMON CHICKEN PICCATA.
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!
CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4
Description
Cilantro lime chicken is very quick and full of amazing flavors! Chicken thighs marinated with cilantro, lime juice, liquid smoke, red chili, cumin, taco seasoning and garlic.
Ingredients
For The Chicken Marinade
- Vegetable oil- 2 tablespoons
- Red chili flakes-1 teaspoon
- Fresh squeezed lime juice- 1/3 cup or 3 limes
- Fresh cilantro leaves ( finely chopped)- 1/3 cup
- Garlic cloves ( finely chopped/minced)-5
- Brown sugar-2 1/2 teaspoon
- Taco seasoning– 1 teaspoon
- Ground cumin- 3/4 teaspoon
- Salt – 1/2 tsp.
- Liquid smoke seasoning- 1/4 teaspoon
For The Chicken
- Chicken thighs ( skin on/off)- 800 gm or 1.7 lbs
- Salt – as needed
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Chicken broth-1/4 cup
- Fresh cilantro leaves- as needed
- Lime slices or wedges-as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F /220°C.
- In a large bowl combine all the ingredients for marinade: vegetable oil, red chili, lime juice, cilantro, garlic , brown sugar, taco seasoning, ground cumin, salt and liquid smoke.
- Add the chicken thighs to the cilantro lime marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover with plastic and refrigerate thighs for 30-40 minutes, the longer the better.
- In an oven safe skillet heat some vegetable oil, add the marinated chicken thighs and sear chicken skin side down , about 4 minutes per side until golden. Add the left over marinade and chicken broth to the skillet and transfer to preheated oven. Bake until the chicken is cooked through (about 15 minutes).
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime slices.
- Serve over steamed Jasmine rice.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Chicken recipes
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: chicken recipes, chicken , cilantro chicken , cilantro lime chicken, baked chicken thighs
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CHICKEN RECIPES
Where’s the recipe?
Please scroll down to the end to the page, Nilda.
I’ve loved this meal for a long time! A family favorite. I did notice that you changed the amounts in the seasoning blend a bit. Would it be possible for you to post or email me the original recipe? Please? ?
★★★★★