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top down shot of the grilled cilantro lime chicken

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Created by Mariam Ezzeddine
Fresh, zesty, and so flavorful, this Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken is so quick and easy to make, you’ll be making it all summer! The chicken thighs are grilled perfectly until tender and juicy, and the best part is that this recipe is easy enough for busy weeknight dinners or as a part of a weekend cookout.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
servings

Ingredients

  • 6 large boneless chicken thighs trimmed from all fats

For the Marinade:

  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ¾-1 tsp. salt to taste
  • ½ tsp chili flakes more or less to taste
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves packed, finely chopped (plus extra for garnishing)
  • 4 clove garlic minced
  • 3 tbsps. olive oil
  • ½ tsp. smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp. coriander
  • ¾ tsp. cumin powder
  • 1 tsp. black pepper fresh ground
  • Lemon wedges for garnishing

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients together.
  • Then add in the chicken and coat well with the marinade. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Preheat grill.
  • Spray the grill with oil spray and grill the chicken until fully cooked on the inside for 5-8 minutes or internal temperature reaches 165 F.

Notes

  • Fresh lime is ideal for this recipe. I would not recommend using bottled lime juice for this as you have that fresh and bright citrus flavor.
  • To make this spicier, you can add more chili flakes or even some cayenne pepper.
  • Always use a preheated grill so the chicken doesn’t stick.
  • You can grill the chicken in the oven, indoor grill or outdoor grill. For the best flavor, I recommend grilling outdoors for the char flavor.
  • For more flavor, you can reserve ¼ of the marinade before adding the chicken to marinate. When the chicken is done grilling, you can drizzle the reserved marinade over the top of the thighs before serving. Make sure you’re using the reserved marinade. Do not use the marinade the raw chicken thighs had been marinating in.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 517mg | Potassium: 506mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 533IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
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