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–+ servings
Grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs with herbs are served next to white rice and lime wedges on a white plate; sauce and extra lime slices are nearby.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs with a Fresh Spoon-Over Sauce

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Boneless chicken thighs are marinated in lime, cilantro, garlic, honey, and chili powder, then seared in a hot skillet until well browned. Set aside a quarter cup of the marinade before the chicken goes in; that's the fresh sauce you'll spoon over at the end.

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

  • ½ cup cilantro, finely minced
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon EACH: chili powder, avocado oil, and honey
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes, if you like it a little spicy
  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • Lime wedges and cilantro, for serving

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine the cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, avocado oil, honey, salt, garlic, and if using the chili flakes.
    ½ cup cilantro, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon EACH: chili powder, avocado oil, and honey, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 4 cloves garlic, Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes
    A glass bowl containing a dark, chunky sauce with chopped herbs and garlic—perfect for marinating cilantro lime chicken thighs. A white spatula rests inside, partially submerged in the mixture.
  • Set aside ¼ cup of the marinade for serving. Add the chicken thighs to the remaining marinade, mix well, and set aside for 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours in your fridge).
    8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    Raw, marinated cilantro lime chicken thighs arranged in a single layer inside a white rectangular baking dish on a light marble surface.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a large cast iron or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, pat it dry with paper towels, and place it into the hot pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is well browned and cooked through.
    2 tablespoons cooking oil
    Cooked, seasoned cilantro lime chicken pieces are arranged in a white frying pan with a wooden handle on a light marble surface.
  • Serve the cilantro lime chicken topped with a spoonful of the reserved marinade, lime wedges, and extra fresh cilantro on top.
    Lime wedges and cilantro
    A white skillet with cooked, seasoned cilantro lime chicken thighs garnished with fresh herbs. A small bowl of sauce and lime wedges are nearby on a marble surface next to a gray napkin.
Serving: 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 392kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 215mg, Sodium: 3138mg, Potassium: 661mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 65IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 2mg