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Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

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4.1 from 13 reviews

Cilantro Lime Chicken is a vibrant, zesty dish featuring juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated in a bright blend of lime juice, zest, garlic, honey, and spices. The chicken is seared for a crispy skin and then baked to juicy perfection, making it a flavorful and satisfying meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 6 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on)

Marinade

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
  • 2 limes (zested and juiced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together two tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice and zest, ground cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, honey, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro until fully combined. For a smoother mixture, you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. After marinating, remove from the fridge and let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Heat the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 to 6 minutes until the skin turns golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. At this stage, the chicken is not fully cooked.
  4. Transfer to Oven: Move the skillet with the seared chicken to the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160°F (70°C) to ensure it is cooked through and juicy.
  5. Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with extra lime slices and fresh cilantro leaves before serving warm.

Notes

  • For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor.
  • Letting the chicken rest after marinating brings it to room temperature, promoting even cooking.
  • You can adjust the chili powder according to your preferred spice level.
  • If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, transfer seared chicken to a baking dish for the oven step.
  • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/cilantro-lime-chicken-recipe/