These grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs are made with zesty lime juice, fragrant spices, and fresh cilantro. Say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner!
Lately, I feel like I’m always buying, marinating, or cooking meat. Making food for two teen boys who are bulking is a full-time job! Because chicken is extra popular around here, I’m constantly trying to switch up the marinade and seasonings. These 5-minute grilled chicken thighs are always — and I mean always — on repeat at our house, so I took that recipe and added a bit more *zest* to it. This cilantro lime chicken is our most recent obsession and a staple for the summertime grilling season, and it’s a great high-protein option for meal prep. The flavor is sooo good!
Cilantro Lime Chicken Video
How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken
You guys know I’m always looking out for my fellow busy moms, which is why this recipe only takes 10 minutes of prep time. Throw the marinating chicken in the fridge for a couple hours, run your errands, and fire up the grill whenever it’s dinnertime!
- Mix up the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cilantro, two tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice, taco seasoning, cumin, and salt (if needed).
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs and marinade to a large bowl or Ziploc bag. Make sure the chicken is well-coated, then seal the bowl/bag and marinate the chicken in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Gill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then enjoy!
Hot tip: Not up for grilling? Stay inside and cook the chicken in batches over medium-high heat in a cast iron pan.
Tips From the Kitchen
I make some variation of chicken at least once a week (I wasn’t kidding about it being on repeat around here!). Through my experimentation, here are the top tips I’ve learned for juicy, tender, and ultra-flavorful cilantro lime chicken.
- Use homemade taco seasoning. I’ve been making this taco seasoning for years, and I promise that it makes a huge difference in the flavor of the dish. Cilantro lime chicken is often made with chili powder, but I love the blend of spices in taco seasoning!
- Taste the marinade for seasoning. I usually don’t add any extra salt because the taco seasoning already has it, but feel free to add a sprinkle of salt to the chicken after it’s cooked. If you love a bit of sweet-and-savory action, add a tablespoon of honey to the marinade.
- Be patient! Don’t rush the marinating time — it’s so crucial for flavor development. I recommend at least two hours, but I often marinate the chicken overnight.
- Allow the chicken to sear before flipping. Don’t rush to flip the chicken or move it around too much — if you’re after those awesome grill marks, be patient and give it a few minutes on each side.
- Check the internal temperature. Say goodbye to throwing your best guess at the grill, and say hello to perfectly cooked and juicy chicken with a digital thermometer! Insert the probe into the thickest part of the thighs, and take them off the grill as soon as the internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Make it a full meal. My boys could eat pounds of this chicken as-is, but we also love making bowls, taco salads, or burritos with it. Start with basmati rice, cilantro lime rice, or flour tortillas as your base, then add your favorite toppings. Guacamole, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, and sour cream are staples over here.
Storage & Reheating
Have I mentioned how much I love this cilantro lime chicken for meal prepping? I’ll usually cook up a double batch and plan on freezing the leftovers, but they get devoured within days!
- Refrigerator: To store for up to three days, allow the chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge.
- Freezer: To store for up to one month, place the cooled chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze. Thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat cilantro lime chicken in an oiled skillet over medium heat, in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or in the microwave.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Wings — An easy and delicious way to cook up a ton of wings
- Grilled Chicken Kebabs — The ranch dressing marinade is unbelievably flavorful!
- Grilled Chicken Shawarma — A Middle Eastern classic made with spices and garlic
- Grilled Huli Huli Chicken — Perfect for sweet-and-savory lovers
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cilantro, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice, taco seasoning, cumin, and salt (if needed).
- Add the chicken thighs to a large bowl or gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure everything is well coated. Seal and marinate the chicken in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, or until it is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve it warm — it's perfect for tacos, bowls, or on its own!
Perfect summer dish with cilantro straight from the garden. The whole family loved this. So much flavor, juicy, deeeeeelicious
I'm so happy to hear that your family loved this cilantro lime chicken, Brooke! My family thinks it's "deeeeeelicious", too!