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

The chicken can be grilled, cooked in a skillet on the stovetop, or even baked, making it the perfect weeknight meal. It’s also packed with enough flavor to impress your dinner guests.

Cilantro Lime chicken breasts with lime wedges

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Why You’ll Love Cilantro Lime Chicken

This Mexican-inspired chicken is the perfect recipe for summer cookouts. The cilantro lime chicken marinade has simple ingredients and takes under 5 minutes to prepare. You can cook this on the grill, on the stovetop, or even in the oven (instructions below).

When the weather starts warming up, 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 Grilled Steak or Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

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

Barbecue cilantro lime chicken breast cut into slices with lime wedges

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • Combine the ingredients for the marinade.
  • Pour marinade over the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Grill, Saute, or Bake the chicken (instructions below). Then, once cooked, serve the chicken with lime wedges and more cilantro to garnish.

Pro Tip:

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

cilantro lime chicken marinade

How to Cook Cilantro Lime Chicken

Once the Cilantro Lime Chicken is marinated, you can grill, saute, or bake in the oven. No matter what method you choose, this recipe makes the juiciest chicken!

GRILLED Cilantro Lime Chicken

Heat the grill to medium. Place the marinated chicken onto the grates, cover, and grill for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked to 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

SKILLET Cilantro Lime Chicken

If you prefer to cook on the stovetop, heat a large skillet or grill pan to medium heat. Coat with 1 Tbsp of oil and then place marinated chicken in the pan in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until 165°F. If the chicken is browning too quickly, cover the pan with a lid after you flip it to the second side.

BAKED Cilantro Lime Chicken

It’s easy to bake the chicken following the instructions from our Baked Chicken Breast recipe. Simply bake on a sheet pan or dish for 20 minutes at 400°F or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F.

Grilled Cilantro Lime chicken on a plate with cilantro and limes

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

Yes, chicken thighs will work just as great in this recipe. Grill the chicken like in our Chimichurri Chicken recipe until the thickest part of the meat has an internal reading of at least 165°F. They taste even better when they reach 175˚F. Chicken thighs are more forgiving since they aren’t as lean as chicken breast meat.

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 instant pot mashed potatoes. This cilantro lime chicken pairs well with:

Make-Ahead

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

  • To Refrigerate: Once cooled, store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat: Thaw in the fridge overnight. Then reheat in the microwave, in a skillet, or in the oven. You can also eat it cold within one day of defrosting.
cooked and cut barbecue meat with lime slices ready for storing

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

More Summer 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.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

5 from 109 votes
Cilantro Lime Chicken sliced on a plate served with lime wedges
This Cilantro Lime Chicken is the easiest recipe for chicken, and it can be grilled, cooked in a skillet, or baked in the oven. The marinade is bursting with flavor and results in juicy and tender chicken every time! This Mexican-inspired recipe will become a favorite.
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

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, plus more to garnish
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground paprika
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving

Instructions

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken

  • 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 then cook the chicken either on the grill, in a skillet, or bake it in the oven (see instructions below). Once it's cooked, serve with lime wedges and garnish with more cilantro if desired.

How to Grill Chicken

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. Cover and grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, or until cooked through*.

To Cook Chicken in a Skillet

  • Set a large non-stick, non-reactive skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil and sautee chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through*, depending on the thickness of your chicken. If your chicken is very thick, cover the chicken with a lid after you flip it.  

How to Bake Chicken

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the chicken breast on a lined baking sheet or large casserole dish. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until cooked through.

Notes

*If chicken breasts are uneven in size, set them between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness. This will help to tenderize the chicken and cook it faster and more evenly. 
*Chicken breast should be cooked until it reaches 165˚F at the thickest part on an instant-read thermometer

Nutrition Per Serving

377kcal Calories7g Carbs48g Protein16g Fat3g Saturated Fat145mg Cholesterol846mg Sodium877mg Potassium1g Fiber5g Sugar335IU Vitamin A8mg Vitamin C15mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
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.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cilantro lime chicken
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 377
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
5 from 109 votes (63 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Lois
    August 8, 2022

    So is the ground pepper sweet paprika or smoked? Not clear in recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 9, 2022

      Hi Lois, we used regular paprika for this recipe. It just says “paprika” on the packaging. One of our readers mentioned using smoked paprika also and loved it!

      Reply

  • Suzane Cole
    July 29, 2022

    made this for dinner last night , oh wow was it yummy, will be making it again-loved the citrussy flavors

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 29, 2022

      So glad it was enjoyed, thank you for the wonderful review.

      Reply

  • Amanda Barbee
    July 15, 2022

    Wow I really love this recipe! Chicken comes out so juicy and flavorful – I marinate for at least 2 hours. And, really by accident, I used smoked paprika but I love how it lends a little smoky sweet flavor so I am sticking with that version lol. Thank you for this amazing, easy recipe!!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 16, 2022

      Hi Amanda. That’s wonderful. I love those kinds of mistakes. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your experience with this recipe.

      Reply

  • A
    July 3, 2022

    I love your recipes ❤️❤️❤️ I cannot wait to try this

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 3, 2022

      I hope it becomes your new favorite!

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    June 20, 2022

    This was so easy and so good!! I marinated my chicken for an hour and my husband and kids were impressed. This is my new favorite marinade for chicken.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 20, 2022

      So glad you found a new favorite recipe! Thank you so much for the review and great feedback.

      Reply

  • Dorothy Terry
    June 9, 2022

    I love your recipes they are easy and always delicious my daughter will not any kind of meat except chicken I’m sure she will love this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 9, 2022

      I hope she loves it, Dorothy!

      Reply

  • Kris
    June 9, 2022

    I wonder if the chicken will still be tasty if I cut the oil in the marinade in half. We’re on WW and I’d like to skim the points a little. Do you think it would be too dry? Should I add something else if I use less oil?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 9, 2022

      Hi Kris, I haven’t tried those substitutions, so I can’t speak to that. Substitutions may hinder the recipe outcome. I always suggest making a recipe as written the first time around.

      Reply

  • Nancy
    January 24, 2022

    Absolutely delicious!!! So much flavor!!! I am going to marinade some shrimp in it.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 24, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Tina
    September 4, 2021

    Recipe calls for honey… is that necessary? Could a sugar substitute be used instead or omitted all together?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 5, 2021

      Hi Tina, I think sugar will work as a substitute. If you try that, please share with us how it turns out.

      Reply

      • Tina
        September 8, 2021

        Made this and omitted the sugar all together… turned out amazing! Great flavor. Will be making this a lot!

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          September 8, 2021

          Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

          Reply

  • Deborah
    September 4, 2021

    I cannot get a lime anywhere could lemon be used

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 4, 2021

      Hi Deborah! It truly is best with lime!

      Reply

  • Linda Reid
    August 10, 2021

    I made this tonight. The chicken was so tasty and tender and moist. Everyone loved it. Thank you Natasha for all your delicious recipes. You are always my go-to. Last night I made the coconut shrimp, a big hit!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 10, 2021

      I’m so glad this was a hit, Linda! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Victoria
    August 3, 2021

    Made this tonight with one adjustment…..I always cut my chicken breasts in half through the middle so it grills faster and evenly. The marinade was delicious! I served this with rice pilaf, pico de gallo (mixed some in the rice), and then made your toast for bruschetta but topped it with the pico de gallo. It was a delicious meal! Thank you Natasha for the recipes.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 3, 2021

      You are very welcome, Victoria. That sounds perfect, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Kathy
    July 17, 2021

    Hi Natasha , love your recipes
    Plan on making this dish for party tomorrow. Quick question
    I have sweet and hot paprika , which one?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 17, 2021

      Hi Kathy, we use regular smoked paprika for this recipe.

      Reply

  • Svitlana McLean
    July 7, 2021

    Hi Natasha, I’m your list of ingredients there 3 cloves of garlic, minced. But then in your recipe garlic is missing from the marinade. I take it it’s just a typo description of the method? Garlic should be mixed in with other ingredients, right?
    Thank you
    Svitlana x

    Reply

    • Natasha
      July 8, 2021

      Thank you so much for pointing that out. I appreciate it. You are correct, it goes in with the marinade.

      Reply

  • Nancy
    June 30, 2021

    Thank you!! The flavor was so amazing and the chicken so moist!! I marinated chicken breast last week and will marinade chicken thighs today. So delicious!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 30, 2021

      Hi Nancy! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! It really is THAT good! Thank you for your lovely comment!

      Reply

  • Sue
    June 28, 2021

    Delicious! Thank you.
    Do you think we can use the same marinate on a whole chicken?

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 28, 2021

      Thanks, Sue! I haven’t tried that yet but I imagine that will be okay. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes!

      Reply

  • sj
    June 28, 2021

    can i leave it out at room temp if marinating it for 30 min? or do i pop it back in the fridge if i marinate it for longer that and if so, when should i take it out so the chicken will come down to room temp?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 28, 2021

      Hi Sj, yes, you can marinate it for longer. Several of our readers have done that with very tender chicken outcomes. I recommend leaving it in the fridge for those 30 minutes to ensure your chicken stays at a safe temperature.

      Reply

  • Paulette
    May 12, 2021

    If I don’t have fresh cilantro an I use dried from a jor? If so how much. Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 12, 2021

      Hi Paulette, I have only tried it with fresh cilantro. It may work with dried but I can’t speak to the outcome being the same.

      Reply

  • Megan
    March 7, 2021

    Soooo good! And easy to prepare! I shredded it and put it over some nachos. Best dinner ever! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 7, 2021

      Sounds awesome! Thank you for sharing your great feedback and review with us, Megan!

      Reply

  • Bruria Hadary
    February 23, 2021

    I have the grill together with my oven.
    Is it ok?
    I don’t have seperate grill.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 23, 2021

      Hi Bruria, If you give it a try in that oven, I would love to know how you like that.

      Reply

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