Cilantro Lime Chicken

4.99 from 56 votes

This Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe features juicy, marinated chicken served with a fresh mango-avocado salsa. Perfect over cilantro-lime or coconut rice for a healthy, flavorful meal!

Prep Time25

Cook Time10

Marinate2

Total Time35

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cilantro lime chicken

Servings: servings

Author: Chelsea Lords

Cost: $8.95

Equipment

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
3 oranges
3 limes
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2-1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

For Serving

1 batch mango-avocado salsa
Cilantro-lime rice or coconut-lime rice, optional

US - Metric

Instructions

Zest orange and lime with a zester to get 1 teaspoon of zest from each. Juice them using a citrus juicer to get 3/4 cup orange juice and 1/3 cup lime juice.
Whisk together all marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup marinade and pour the rest into a large resealable bag.
Trim chicken of fat. Pound chicken to even thickness or slice in half to get evenly sized breasts and place in bag with the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and flip the bag halfway through. Marinate for up to 6 hours.
Preheat the grill to 450°F and lightly oil the grill grate or grill pan. Place the marinated chicken on the grill, discarding any leftover marinade.
For baking or pan-searing options, refer to the "Alternate Cooking Methods" section in the full post.
Grill for 10–12 minutes or until chicken juices run clear and internal temperature is 165℉ (see note 1). Flip chicken halfway and brush it generously with reserved 1/2 cup marinade.
Prepare mango-avocado salsa.
If desired, prepare cilantro-lime or coconut rice.
Serve grilled chicken over a bed of rice (if prepared) and top with mango-avocado salsa. Enjoy immediately!

Video

Notes

Note 1: Cooking times will vary, depending on several factors, so I always recommend using a thermometer to test your chicken as it cooks. Aim to hit exactly 165℉. (Undercooked = unsafe; Overcooked = dry chicken)

Storage: Let chicken cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store mango-avocado salsa separately and eat within 1 day. Reheat chicken gently.

Nutrition