If you are looking for a reliable, easy way to transform your chicken, this Cilantro and Lime Chicken Marinade is it. It's a bright, zesty blend that turns simple chicken into a grilling season favorite in just a few easy steps.
There is so much flavor packed into this easy to make cilantro and lime chicken marinade. With fresh lime juice, cilantro and garlic, it packs a punch that is perfect for all cuts of chicken. For this recipe I'm sharing how I use it to marinate boneless skinless chicken breasts. They come out so incredibly flavorful and juicy I love a good from-scratch recipe that makes a simple weeknight dinner a win!
Table of contents
As soon as the weather warms up, we start grilling as much as we can. This recipe is a fantastic addition to your summer rotation, right alongside my Easy Grilled Chicken Marinade or my family favorite Hamburger Patty recipe.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Fresh Lime Juice - The citrus is what helps tenderize the meat. I highly recommend using fresh lime over the bottled kind for that bright, zingy flavor.
- Olive Oil - This helps the spices stick to the meat and prevents the chicken from sticking to the grill grates. You can substitute with any other neutral tasting oil if you need to.
- Honey - Just a touch of sweetness to balance the lime.
- The Spices: A blend of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin creates a subtle smoky flavor. The pinch of chipotle powder adds a mild warmth without being spicy, but you can always add more chipotle powder (or cayenne powder) if you want a spicy kick!
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Cilantro and Lime Chicken Marinade
This marinade comes together in just a few minutes. I love how the lime and cilantro marry together to create a flavor combination that works so beautifully when grilled!
Combine the marinade ingredients and stir well to combine.
Pour the mixture over the chicken, give it a good toss, cover and let sit for 20-30 minutes.
Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when temped with a thermometer. Garnish with cilantro and fresh lime juice. Enjoy!
See the recipe card below for the full recipe.
Versatile Cooking & Prep Methods
While I love the smoky char of the grill, this recipe is incredibly versatile:
- Any cut of Chicken works with this marinade.
- Want to cook this inside? You can cook the chicken in a cast iron griddle on the stove or bake in the oven at 400°F.
- Add this recipe to your freezer prep list! Just make the marinade, put the chicken in a freezer safe bag, toss to coat, and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before you are ready to cook, and it marinates while it thaws. Just be sure to cook it immediately after the thaw.
What To Serve With Cilantro Lime Chicken
I love slicing it and wrapping it in tortillas to serve as tacos, but it's just as delicious on its own served alongside Spanish Rice or this fresh Corn and Avocado Salad.
👉 Sky's Tips
- Because of the lime juice, you don't want to let the chicken sit in the marinade for more than 2 hours. If it sits too long, the texture can become a bit mushy or mealy. 20-30 minutes is the perfect amount of time!
- Before the chicken hits the grill, let the excess marinade drip off. This helps the meat sear and get those nice grill marks instead of steaming on the grates.
- I always save a little extra chopped cilantro and a fresh lime wedge to squeeze over the chicken right before serving. It really wakes up all the flavors!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It's delicious in a fresh salad the next day!
Frequently Asked Questions
As written, it is very mild with just a hint of heat. However, it's easy to adjust! If you want more heat, just add more chipotle powder or some red pepper flakes.
I really recommend sticking with fresh cilantro for this one. Dried cilantro doesn't have as strong of a flavor as fresh cilantro, which you really want in this recipe.
Whether you're prepping for a busy week or firing up the grill, I hope this Cilantro and Lime Chicken Marinade makes it into your recipe repertoire.
-Sky🩷
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If you tried this Cilantro and Lime Chicken Marinade recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comment section below!
📖 Recipe
Cilantro and Lime Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl and stir until fully combined.
- Pour over the chicken, cover and let marinade for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper, if desired, then grill until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- When serving, sprinkle over additional chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you aren't using a grill, you can bake the marinated chicken in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the chicken in a baking dish or on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes (depending on the thickness of the breasts) or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Because of the lime juice, you don't want to let the chicken sit in the marinade for more than 2 hours. If it sits too long, the texture can become a bit mushy or mealy. 20-30 minutes is the perfect amount of time!
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- I always save a little extra chopped cilantro and a fresh lime wedge to squeeze over the chicken right before serving. It really wakes up all the flavors!
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