Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
Fresh, bright Cilantro Lime Chicken is bursting with flavor. These grilled chicken thighs are first soaked in a tangy-sweet marinade that ensures they cook up tender and juicy. It’s the start of a perfect summer dinner that’s so easy to throw together.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: Latin American
- Primary Cooking Method: Grill
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
Easy chicken dinners are my go-to when life gets busy, especially when I can prep everything ahead of time and throw it on the grill later. These grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs soak up a flavorful marinade made with lime juice, honey, garlic, and smoky cumin for juicy chicken with tons of flavor.
This naturally gluten free chicken dish is perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, or easy family dinners. Serve the cilantro lime chicken thighs as the main dish or pair them with other grilled favorites for a meal everyone can customize.
Tender & Flavorful Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
There’s a lot to love about this grilled chicken thighs recipe! Here are a few reasons why I make them often:
- Quick to put together. Your prep time to make the marinade totals about 10 minutes or less, and cook time is less than half an hour. This means you can have dinner together quickly with a little pre-planning.
- Easy to prep ahead. I like to make the marinade the night before I plan to cook the chicken. Then I let the chicken infuse with all those good flavors in the fridge. When it’s time to cook, dinner is ready in 30 minutes or less!
- So versatile. You can play around with the ingredients in the marinade to suit your (and your family’s) taste. See the Tips section for suggestions. And you can serve it with rice, potatoes, sliced on a salad, and more. Check out the Make it a Meal ideas!
- Gluten-Free. Yes, this is another naturally gluten-free recipe to add to your dinner repertoire. Not only is this a quick recipe to put together, all the ingredients you’ll need are completely gluten-free. I love that!
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s an overview of everything you’ll need for this cilantro lime chicken marinade recipe. Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.
- Olive Oil
- Limes: You’ll need both the zest of 1 lime plus freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Honey
- Garlic: Add more fresh garlic if you wish. Or substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Cumin
- Onion Powder
- Salt: I use fine sea salt or table salt in this recipe.
- Black Pepper
- Cilantro: If you can’t get cilantro or don’t care for it, substitute flat-leaf parsley for the fresh, herby flavor.
- Chicken Thighs: I like to use bone-in chicken thighs, and plan on 2 per person. If you can only get skin-on thighs, be sure to remove the skin before marinating.
- Extra Lime Wedges: Perfect for serving with the chicken.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
Follow along with my method outlined below for grilling cilantro lime chicken thigh:
- Make the marinade. Whisk the olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, honey, garlic, cumin, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then stir in the minced cilantro.
- Marinate the chicken. Remove the skin and trim extra fat from the chicken thighs. Season with salt and pepper, and pour the marinade over the top. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
- Grill the chicken. Heat the grill to medium-high, place the chicken thighs on the grill, and cook for about 20-25 minutes, flipping once, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
- Rest and serve. Remove the chicken from the grill, tent it with foil, and allow it to rest before serving. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.
🍴 In the Cupcakes & Kale Chips Kitchen…
- CITRUS JUICER: A simple handheld citrus squeezer makes quick work of the limes.
- INSTANT READ THERMOMETER: Chicken is fully cooked when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to help you make this recipe:
- You may need more limes. The amount of juice you get can vary depending on the size of your limes. For example, a medium- to large-sized lime will usually yield 2-3 tablespoons of juice. If you have smaller limes, plan to use a couple more to get the needed amount of juice for this recipe.
- Marinate in the fridge. If you plan to marinate the chicken longer than 30 minutes, do so in the refrigerator so it doesn’t spoil.
- Manage your grill temperature. If you’re using a grill that doesn’t have a temperature gauge, start the grill at medium-high, and lower the temperature to medium or medium-low. You want to prevent it from flaring up but still have enough heat to cook. If you’re using a charcoal grill, heat the first side over the coals, and when you turn the chicken, place it on indirect heat.
- Better measuring and cleanup. If you use the same measuring spoon for both the honey and oil, measure the oil first. Then the honey won’t stick and will slide right out.
- Properly prepare the grill. Oil the grill grates before preheating the grill to prevent sticking. The secret to great grill marks and the meat not sticking is a very hot grill. So make sure you preheat it!
- Don’t skip the rest time. This allows all the juices to redistribute back into the meat and give you the juiciest meat.
- Change up the marinade. Don’t care for cumin? You can skip it altogether or sub in ½ teaspoon of paprika. Want more spice? Toss in ½ teaspoon or so of red pepper flakes. Or swap the honey for maple syrup and the lime for lemon juice.
- Try some additions and variations. If you like, you can add toppings like avocado, chopped tomatoes, and sour cream to the chicken for extra flavor and texture.
Common Questions
Cilantro lime chicken has a bright, fresh flavor from the cilantro and lime juice, along with a savory depth from the garlic and other seasonings. It’s tangy, zesty, and flavorful.
You can use any cut of chicken for this recipe. We’re using thighs here because they are very juicy and tender. However, this marinade also works great on chicken breasts or legs. Note that the cooking time will be different based on the cut and thickness of the meat you choose, so you may need to adjust it accordingly.
A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the chicken is finished cooking. The thermometer will read 165°F when the chicken is fully cooked.
Yes, cilantro lime chicken can be marinated ahead of time. For best results, marinate the chicken for a couple of hours in the fridge. Try to marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. You can also cook the chicken ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready to serve the meal.
Yes, preheat the oven to 425°F and place the chicken on a sheet pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the juices run clear, and the internal temperature is 165°F.
Proper Storage
Here’s the best way to store leftover cilantro lime chicken:
- Fridge – Store leftover cilantro lime chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer – Place the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
- To Reheat – Reheat chicken in an oven-safe dish in the oven on low heat until heated through. You can also reheat the chicken in the microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave at 30-second intervals until heated through.
Make It A Meal
As mentioned, cilantro lime chicken thighs are great to bring to a potluck or neighborhood BBQ to add to the meat selection (they are also just fine served at room temperature as well as straight off the grill). But if you want to make a more hearty meal, try these serving suggestions:
- In rice bowls. Rice is a classic pairing with chicken. Try my Instant Pot Spanish Rice or Cilantro Rice for a similar flavor note. Top with Spicy Roasted Cauliflower and Butternut Squash and a drizzle of Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
- Make tacos. Slice up your grilled chicken thighs and stuff them into Corn Tortillas with some Pico de Gallo and a scoop of Avocado Lime Crema. Round out the meal with Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
- Add simple vegetables. My Chili Lime Sweet Potato Home Fries would be a nice, seasoned companion to this chicken dish. But you can also go with basic Air Fryer Green Beans or a batch of Air Fryer Broccoli.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons olive oil
- zest of one lime
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2-3 limes)
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 3 cloves garlic , minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon salt , plus more for seasoning the chicken
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper , plus more for seasoning the chicken
- ¾ cup minced fresh cilantro , plus more for serving
- 8-12 bone-in chicken thighs , skins removed (about 3-4 lbs, I usually plan 2 per person)
- additional lime wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, add 6 Tablespoons olive oil, zest of one lime, ¼ cup fresh lime juice, 1 Tablespoon honey, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Whisk together until well combined. Add ¾ cup minced fresh cilantro and stir to distribute.
- Remove the skin and trim the excess fat from 8-12 bone-in chicken thighs. Season them generously with salt and pepper, and place them in a shallow dish, or a zip lock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken thighs and toss gently to coat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
- Heat the grill to medium-high, about 400°F. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook with the lid closed for 10 minutes. Using tongs, turn the chicken over, close the lid and reduce the heat to medium-low, about 325°F. Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the grill, tent it with foil and allow it to rest before serving. This allows all the juices to redistribute back into the meat and give you the juiciest meat. Garnish with additional lime wedges and cilantro, if desired.
Did you make this?
Leave a star rating to help others know that they should make this recipe.
Share a photo and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram!