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    Watch What U Eat > Snacks or Appetizer

    Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

    Published: Jun 4, 2019 · Modified: Mar 30, 2022 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Prepare these cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs with delicious and healthy marinade. A quick and easy prep-ahead recipe perfect for a grilling party. Or just cook marinated chicken on the grill or frying pan for the weeknight dinner. | #watchwhatueat #grilledchicken #cilantrolime #grilling #chickenthighs

    These cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs are perfect to add to the outdoor barbecue party menu during summer. Prep ahead in no time and take them to barbecue potlucks. Super simple with loads of flavors these grilled chicken thighs will be a hit.

    Prepare these cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs with delicious and healthy marinade. A quick and easy prep-ahead recipe perfect for a grilling party. Or just cook marinated chicken on the grill or frying pan for the weeknight dinner. | #watchwhatueat #grilledchicken #cilantrolime #grilling #chickenthighs
    Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken

    You can never go wrong with grilled chicken infused with Mexican-inspired cilantro-lime flavors. Just serve them with simple guacamole for an appetizer. Or serve on the side of Mexican rice or salads to compliment the meal.

    These grilled chicken thighs were a hit at our outdoor barbecue party this season. These were gone in no time as soon as they came out of the grill. That's when I decided to share this recipe here if you all are looking for something similar for your party season.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs:
    • Useful Tips!
    • More easy chicken recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    You will need very simple and easily available ingredients for making the cilantro lime marinade for the grilled chicken thighs recipe.

    • Fresh Cilantro - use plenty of fresh cilantro leaves as well as stems.
    • Garlic cloves - mince or chop them finely or grate them.
    • Ground cumin - Try to use homemade roasted cumin powder whenever possible. It adds amazing flavors to any dish.
    • Paprika - use it according to your taste
    • Salt and pepper
    • Lime juice and zest - use fresh lime juice for fresh flavors.
    • Oil - you can use any cooking oil. Personally, I prefer to cook with healthy Avocado oil or Olive oil.

    Different ingredients for preparing garlic cilantro lime marinade.

    How to Make Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs:

    In a mixing bowl prepare marinade using all the ingredients mentioned above. Mix the boneless chicken thighs with prepared cilantro lime marinade. Marinate the chicken for a few hours in the refrigerator. Cook the marinated chicken on a preheated grill or grill pan or skillet for about 5-6 mins on each side. Serve warm.

    Serving suggestions

    • For a wholesome meal serve this grilled cilantro lime chicken on the side of Mexican brown rice or zucchini rice and homemade guacamole.
    • For an appetizer, you can serve it with chunky avocado salsa or simple guacamole.
    • Also, you can add it to salads like this brown rice lentil salad and make it more filling
    Garlic-cilantro lime marinade prepared in a small mixing bowl.
    Cilantro lime marinated chicken in a large mixing bowl for making grilled chicken thighs.

    Useful Tips!

    • Use organic and pasture-raised chickens whenever possible. It comes a little expensive but it's far better than eating artificially grown chickens. I mean hormone-treated ones. We have also felt a difference in taste.
    • In this recipe, I use boneless skinless chicken thighs. It helps to cut down the fat coming from the skin. And boneless chicken thighs take less time to cook compared to bone-in thighs. However, you can also use chicken breast or bone-in chicken thighs as well. Cooking times may vary slightly.
    • You can cook the marinated chicken on an outdoor barbecue grill or on the grill pan on a normal stove top. Or simply, you can also use a frying pan to cook them if you don't have a grill.
    • Always preheat the grill or grill pan before cooking the chicken. It will develop a nice crust on the grilled chicken. 
    • You can marinate the chicken well in advance and take to the grill whenever you want. I usually marinate the chicken before noon for an evening barbecue party. The longer you marinate the chicken the more flavorful it will be.
    • Bring marinated chicken to room temperature before cooking on the grill. It will help to cook the chicken evenly.
    This grilled cilantro lime chicken thighs recipe is perfect to add in the outdoor barbecue party menu during summer. Prep ahead in no time and take them to barbecue potlucks. Or just cook marinated chicken on the grill or frying pan for the weeknight dinner. | #watchwhatueat #grilledchicken #cilantrolime #grilling #chickenthighs

    More easy chicken recipes to try

    • One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
    • Grilled Tandoori Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
    • Easy Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
    • Healthy Leftover Chicken Sandwich
    Prepare these cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs with delicious and healthy marinade. A quick and easy prep-ahead recipe perfect for a grilling party. Or just cook marinated chicken on the grill or frying pan for the weeknight dinner. | #watchwhatueat #grilledchicken #cilantrolime #grilling #chickenthighs

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments if you REALLY like this recipe. Thank You!

    📖 Recipe

    Prepare these cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs with delicious and healthy marinade. A quick and easy prep-ahead recipe perfect for a grilling party. Or just cook marinated chicken on the grill or frying pan for the weeknight dinner. | #watchwhatueat #grilledchicken #cilantrolime #grilling #chickenthighs
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Easy Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe

    Prepare these cilantro lime grilled chicken thighs with delicious and healthy marinade. A quick and easy prep-ahead recipe perfect for grilling party dinners. Or just cook marinated chicken on the grill or frying pan for the weeknight dinner.
    Course: Appetizer,Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
    Diet Gluten Free,Low Calorie
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings :6
    Calories :218kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

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    Equipment

    • Grill Pan

    Ingredients

    • 6 chicken thighs boneless and skinless

    Cilantro Lime Marinade

    • 1 cup fresh cilantro loosely packed
    • 3-4 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon Paprika
    • 2 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon lime zest
    • 1 tablespoon cooking oil plus some more
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • In a small mixing bowl combine all the ingredients mentioned under cilantro lime marinade.
    • Coat the chicken thighs with the prepared marinade evenly. Cover and marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour or so.
    • Preheat the grill to about 400F or preheat the grill pan on medium heat.
    • Brush some oil on the grill and cook the chicken thighs for about 5-6 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until well done.
    • Serve warm when ready.

    Notes

    1. You can also use this cilantro lime marinade with chicken breasts or drumsticks. However, cooking times may vary.
    2. Cook the chicken until the pink color in the center disappears. And do not overcook it; otherwise, it will become hard in texture. Perfectly cooked chicken gives a soft and juicy texture.
    3. Lime juice also acts as a meat tenderizer, and in this case, it makes the chicken tender and juicy.
    4. You can use less lime juice than mentioned above if you are not a fan of the strong tangy taste.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 218kcal
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

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      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lauren says

      June 10, 2019 at 10:09 am

      These look delicious!

      Reply

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    Hi, we are Swati and Tushar! Our passion for food and cooking has led us to write this blog focusing on healthy recipes to eat well and live well!

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