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.
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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.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken-
- Combine the ingredients for the marinade.
- Pour marinade over the chicken and coat. Marinate 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Grill chicken over medium heat until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- 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.
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:
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.
- Grilled Salmon – with garlic lime butter
- Juicy BBQ Chicken Breast – with my sister’s famous marinade
- Honey Garlic Shrimp– in a sweet and tangy sauce.
- Grilled Corn in Foil – you will love the flavored butter
- Grilled Pork Chops– using staple pantry ingredients.
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
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
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
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. 🙂
You’re very welcome! Thank you for the wonderful feedback.
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.)
Thank you so much, Joseph!
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!! 💙
Thank you so much for sharing these notes with us!
Delicious. Chicken was moist and tender. Fresh taste. Would definitely make again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Cate!
Is it ok to mix this marinade up in the morning to use in the evening if you keep it in the fridge?
Hi Chelle. I think that would be fine.
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.
It’s my pleasure! Glad that you enjoyed it.
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?
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.
Hi Valentina…& Natasha…
Whole family loved this recipe…
Thx❤️
Hi Sherry! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Natasha
Can we bake this
If so what time & temperature
Thx
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.
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❤️
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.
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!
You’re welcome, Natalia! I’m so glad you loved the recipe.
This is absolutely the best chicken marinade! Thank yo so much Natasha! So darn good!!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Nancy!
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?
Hi Wendy! The flavor in fresh lime is so much better. Bottled tends to be more muted and bitter.
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!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gracie!
What temperature on a grill or better yet what temp and how long in air fryer mode?
So delicious. I made it with bone in and skin on chicken thighs and it was so tasty. Did it in the air fryer.
Hi David, that’s wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Hi David,
What temperature and for how long did you cook in the air frier?
Can you or anyone advise on air fryer Temps and times please.
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).