4.9 from 273 votes
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of fresh lime juice and zest, garlic, honey, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro. The marinade infuses the meat with a bright, zesty flavor balanced by subtle heat and sweetness. After marinating, the chicken is seared to crisp the skin then baked to juicy perfection.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Marinate
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
400 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 lime zested and juiced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped, leaves
Instructions
- Make the marinade. In a mixing bowl, whisk together two tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice and zest, cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, honey, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro. You can also pulse in a food processor until it's combined.
- Marinate the chicken. Combine the marinade and chicken thighs in a bowl or shallow dish. Marinate chicken for 30 minutes to an hour in the fridge. When the chicken is done marinating, take it out of the fridge and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Sear the chicken. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Heat the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes with the skin side down, until they're golden brown. Then, flip the chicken and sear the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this point.
- Bake the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the chicken thighs for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
- Garnish and serve. Remove the chicken from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, and garnish with extra lime slices and cilantro leaves before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Keep leftovers refrigerated and consume within 3 to 4 days.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature due to oven temperature variations.
- Experiment with different chili powder varieties like guajillo or chipotle for varied flavors and adjust heat as desired.
Nutrition Information
Calories
400kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
31g
(48%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
(35%)
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
142mg
(47%)
Sodium
503mg
(21%)
Potassium
342mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
224IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
27mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 400
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 400kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 31g | 48% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 142mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 503mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 342mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 224IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.