Description
Cilantro Lime Chicken is a flavorful and zesty grilled chicken dish marinated with fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and spices. This quick and easy recipe yields juicy, tender chicken perfect for a healthy main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (about 7-8 ounces each)
Marinade
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 limes (juiced)
- 1/2 tablespoon coarse salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
Other
- 1 tablespoon oil (for grilling, to prevent sticking)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped fresh cilantro, minced garlic, lime juice, coarse salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully blended.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
- Prepare chicken for grilling: Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Drizzle a small amount of oil over the chicken to prevent sticking during grilling.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to high heat, ensuring it is well preheated before cooking.
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy to ensure the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to retain the juices and enhance flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a teaspoon of honey or a pinch of chili flakes to the marinade.
- If you don’t have access to a grill, the chicken can also be cooked in a grill pan or under a broiler.
- Let the chicken rest after grilling for 5 minutes to keep it juicy.
- The marinade can be prepared a day ahead to deepen the cilantro and lime flavors.
- Use fresh limes for the best citrus flavor instead of bottled lime juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
