A quick and easy Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe. The chicken is perfectly seared on the outside and bursting with juices and flavor from the marinade on the inside.

Grilled chicken breasts on a plate with lime pieces.

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Hey, hey! Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe.

Why We Love Cilantro Lime Chicken:

This Mexican-inspired chicken is the PERFECT recipe for summer grilling. The marinade for the chicken has simple ingredients and takes under 5 minutes to prepare. Grilling is one of our favorite ways to cook chicken breast or thighs because it seals in all of the juices and flavor, just like Grilling a Steak!

The combination of zesty lime, cilantro, garlic and a little honey is a clear winner. It’s going to win your family over and get rave reviews.

Sliced grilled chicken on a plate.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken-

  1. Combine the ingredients for the marinade.
  2. Pour marinade over the chicken and coat. Marinate 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  3. Grill chicken over medium heat until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
  4. Serve with a wedge of lime to squeeze over sliced chicken and garnish with cilantro.

PRO TIP: The marinade is so delicious, we like to pour some over the chicken as it’s being grilled.

Chicken breasts in a bowl with chicken marinade.

Can I make Cilantro Lime Chicken Ahead?

Due to the amount of lime in the marinade, we don’t recommend marinating for more than 2 hours.

Once the chicken is grilled, store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

Yes, chicken thighs will work just as great in this recipe. Grill the chicken until the thickest part of the meat has an internal reading of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken?

This classic recipe can easily be served with your favorite Mexican-inspired sides. We love to serve the chicken with white rice or our quick mashed potatoes. This cilantro lime chicken pairs well with:

Grilled chicken breasts on a plate with lime.

Once you give the grilled cilantro lime chicken recipe a try, it will become a regular on your grilling menu. I love that the recipe is enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

More Grilling Recipes:

We love cooking outdoors in summer because everything seems to taste and smell better on the grill; chicken, beef, seafood, veggies – you name it! If you love firing up the grill in summer, you will love these grilling recipes.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

5 from 91 votes
Author: Valentina Ablaev
Cilantro lime chicken sliced and served on a plate with lime wedges
This Cilantro Lime Chicken is the easiest recipe for grilling chicken. The marinade is bursting with flavor and results in juicy and tender chicken every time! This Mexican-inspired recipe will become a favorite.

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 servings
  • 2 lbs chicken breast (or thighs), (4 small/medium chicken breasts)
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lime juice, (freshly squeezed)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground paprika
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, salt, pepper, paprika, and honey for the marinade.
  • Add the chicken to the mixture and allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  • Grill chicken 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Serve with a wedge of lime to squeeze over the cooked chicken and garnish with more cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Per Serving

377kcal Calories7g Carbs48g Protein16g Fat3g Saturated Fat145mg Cholesterol846mg Sodium877mg Potassium1g Fiber5g Sugar335IU Vitamin A8mg Vitamin C15mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
377
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
145
mg
48
%
Sodium
 
846
mg
37
%
Potassium
 
877
mg
25
%
Carbohydrates
 
7
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
48
g
96
%
Vitamin A
 
335
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
8
mg
10
%
Calcium
 
15
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories: 377

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Joseph Jr.
    February 20, 2024

    It was fantastic. Great recipe as always. I made mine in a large cast iron skillet with rice and long string green beans on the side. (Also from Natasha’s Kitchen. Green Beans Almondine) I’ll be keeping both of them for in the future. Many Thanks. 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 20, 2024

      You’re very welcome! Thank you for the wonderful feedback.

      Reply

      • Joseph Jr.
        February 29, 2024

        All of your recipes that my family or I have tried are awesome. I just got your book ordered as I want to make sure I have one on hand despite the website. 🙂
        I look forward to trying more of your recipes in the future. (We just made sloppy joes tonight.)

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          March 1, 2024

          Thank you so much, Joseph!

          Reply

  • Smithee
    August 24, 2023

    Made this tonight and my family LOVED it. I first made the marinade and tasted it- and oh wow are those flavors DELICIOUS together. I liked it so much I quadrupled the marinade recipe. First batch I used for the chicken. The second batch I added to 3 cans of black beans along with some jarred jalapeños and some chicken bullion and cooked on low about an hour. The third batch I added to the rice I was cooking, along with some crushed red pepper and some chicken bullion. The fourth batch I added to the pan drippings (I don’t have a grill so I just pan seared) and made a roux with some half/half, chicken and bullion to put on the chicken and the rice. I can’t wait to make this again- the flavors are AMAZING- if you like flavorful entrees, don’t be afraid to play with this one. Kudos to the chef for combining these flavors!! 💙

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 24, 2023

      Thank you so much for sharing these notes with us!

      Reply

  • Cate
    August 22, 2023

    Delicious. Chicken was moist and tender. Fresh taste. Would definitely make again.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 22, 2023

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Cate!

      Reply

  • Chelle
    August 20, 2023

    Is it ok to mix this marinade up in the morning to use in the evening if you keep it in the fridge?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 20, 2023

      Hi Chelle. I think that would be fine.

      Reply

      • Chelle
        August 20, 2023

        Thank you. I made the marinade this morning and used it this evening, and it was perfect just like the first time. This is a wonderful recipe.

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          August 20, 2023

          It’s my pleasure! Glad that you enjoyed it.

          Reply

  • Jessica
    July 30, 2023

    Can I put it in the oven instead of grilling? I absolutely love this combination of flavors with chicken. However I don’t have a grill. Is there a way I can either pan sear it or bake it but with all the same ingredients?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 30, 2023

      Hi Jessica, I haven’t tried this in the oven to advise. If you give it a try in that oven, I would love to know how you like that.

      Reply

  • Sherry
    June 28, 2023

    Hi Valentina…& Natasha…
    Whole family loved this recipe…
    Thx❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 28, 2023

      Hi Sherry! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Sherry
    June 27, 2023

    Hi Natasha
    Can we bake this
    If so what time & temperature
    Thx

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 27, 2023

      Hi Sherry, I haven’t tried this in the oven to advise. If you give it a try in that oven, I would love to know how you like that.

      Reply

      • Sherry
        June 29, 2023

        400deg farenheit 30 mins or so depending on the size I baked…
        Came out great…

        Natasha.. 1 question ❤️
        can we freeze or how can long we can save opened can of condensed milk…
        Thx❤️

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          June 29, 2023

          Hi Sherry! I’m glad it was great.
          To be honest, I don’t know the specifications on storing that. You might try researching it online.

          Reply

  • Natalia
    May 31, 2023

    OMG! So juicy and so delicious! I’m definitely a keeper of this recipe. My family finished this grilled chicken in seconds:) Thank you, Natasha!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 31, 2023

      You’re welcome, Natalia! I’m so glad you loved the recipe.

      Reply

  • Nancy
    December 29, 2022

    This is absolutely the best chicken marinade! Thank yo so much Natasha! So darn good!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 29, 2022

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Nancy!

      Reply

  • Wendy
    October 22, 2022

    Hi Natasha,

    This looks so good and I’m going to try to make it, but want to know if using bottled lime juice will be okay or will change the flavor substantially?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 22, 2022

      Hi Wendy! The flavor in fresh lime is so much better. Bottled tends to be more muted and bitter.

      Reply

  • Gracie
    September 8, 2022

    This recipe is excellent!!! I, like one other reviewer used the air fryer. I didn’t have the regular paprika so used smoked paprika..
    I served this with a jasmine rice and salad.
    Yummy!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 8, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gracie!

      Reply

    • Sharon
      October 16, 2023

      What temperature on a grill or better yet what temp and how long in air fryer mode?

      Reply

  • David
    August 9, 2022

    So delicious. I made it with bone in and skin on chicken thighs and it was so tasty. Did it in the air fryer.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 9, 2022

      Hi David, that’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

    • Rosi Kuster
      August 23, 2022

      Hi David,
      What temperature and for how long did you cook in the air frier?

      Reply

    • Koch
      May 25, 2023

      Can you or anyone advise on air fryer Temps and times please.

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        May 25, 2023

        Hi Koch! You can reference my air fryer chicken thighs recipe for times and temperatures. See the “common question” section to adjust the time if you are using boneless. The best way to know when it’s done is to test it with a food thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 165ºF (I prefer letting dark meat chicken go to 175˚F).

        Reply

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